OAKLAND, Calif., Aug. 29 (UPI) -- The struggling Boston Red Sox sent slugger David Ortiz back to Boston for medical tests for the recurrence of an irregular heartbeat.
Ortiz, who spent time in a Boston hospital this month for the problem, was scratched from the Red Sox' starting lineup before Monday's 9-0 loss at Oakland.
According to the Boston Herald, Red Sox Manager Terry Francona said Ortiz's heart began racing about an hour before game time Monday, the third time in the last two weeks that it happened to Ortiz.
Ortiz's teammate, Manny Ramirez sat out the fourth time in five games Monday with a sore right knee, and Francona said Ramirez may not play until the Red Sox return home later this week. Ortiz and Ramirez have combined for 81 home runs and 221 RBI this season.
Monday's loss was Boston's 10th in 12 games. The Red Sox are seven games behind the Yankees for the division lead, and six behind the Minnesota Twins in the wild-card race.
