Ortiz joins Williams with another 30-homer season

BALTIMORE -- When David Ortiz belted a line-drive, three-run homer to left in the eighth inning on Friday night, he put himself in some select company.

With 30 homers and 103 RBIs on the season, Ortiz now has seven 30-100 seasons in his career, all with Boston.

The only other player in Red Sox history to have seven 30-100 seasons was the legendary Ted Williams.

"It's a huge honor for myself to be mentioned with one of the greatest that ever played the game in this organization," Ortiz said. "Got to keep the line moving and try to keep on producing for this ballpark."

It is Ortiz's first 30-100 season since 2010, and another sign of how he's been able to stay at the top of his game even as he ages.

"In the minds of many, he's a Hall of Fame-type hitter," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "He's been a productive hitter throughout his whole career here, and I think to put himself in the company of Ted Williams is very rare."

With the game being played at Camden Yards, it was fitting that the home run was No. 431 in Ortiz's career, tying him with Cal Ripken Jr.

"Oh, really? Man, another great," said Ortiz. "You're talking about Cal Ripken Jr., the Iron Man, that's something special. You keep on mentioning names, and nothing but greats comes out. Mad respect [for Ripken], though."