DETROIT -- Manny Ramirez emerged from the visitors' clubhouse on
Tuesday night bellowing an impressive three-digit figure, one that by
itself described how close the Red Sox's right fielder is to making
history.

He nodded his head, dreadlocks flapping behind him, and let out a shout.

"497!"

That became Ramirez's career home run total after mashing a long home
run in the seventh inning of Tuesday's 5-0 win over the Tigers at
Comerica Park. The 35-year-old slugger needs three more home runs to
become the 24th player in Major League history to join the 500-home
run club.

He homered for the first time since bashing No. 496 on April 19, a
15-game homerless stretch. Though he has been in a minor slump of
late, he looked much more comfortable at the plate on Tuesday.

After flying out to center in his first at-bat, Ramirez lined a tough
fastball from Detroit starter Nate Robertson into left field for a
single. Then in his next at-bat, he powered up a bit, roping a long
single to left. He was seeing the ball well. One could almost sense
his long ball was coming when the Tigers brought in reliever Freddy
Dolsi to face him in the seventh. Dolsi was making his Major League debut.

Ramirez gave him a rude welcome. And it didn't take long.

Following David Ortiz's second home run in as many days, Ramirez
launched Dolsi's first career pitch to center, the deepest part of the
park and one of the deepest center-field fences in the Majors. Tigers
center fielder Curtis Granderson sprinted back to the wall, stood in
front of the 420 sign and looked up. The ball crashed into the bushes
beyond the wall, an estimated 427 feet from home plate.

"It went a long, long way," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said.

The home run also gave him 1,628 career RBIs, which ties him for 26th
all-time with Harold Baines. Ramirez's 3-for-5 performance on Tuesday
puts his batting average this season at .326, to go with seven home
runs and 24 RBIs.

Source: Scott McNeish / MLB.com