by By JOHN TOMASE , The Boston Herald

One day after blasting the 300th homer of his career, Ortiz reflected on some of his other memorable regular-season shots, and No. 1 belongs near the top of the list.

On Sept. 14, 1997, the then-21-year-old stepped to the plate against the Rangers' Julio Santana in Arlington, Texas. The Twins led, 6-0, and had Marty Cordova on first when Ortiz unloaded on a fastball.

``Santana was my roommate in winter ball,'' Ortiz said before going 0-for-4 in last night's 1-0 win against Kansas City. ``I knew he was a power pitcher, but I was just a young kid. I wasn't thinking about anything. I just saw the ball and hit it, and it was a bomb. I hit it to the roof in Texas. I hit it to the second deck. It was a bomb. I remember that.''

Ortiz hit No. 300 off Kansas City's Luke Hochevar on Thursday, ending an interestingly coincidental run of milestone homers.

Nos. 1 (Santana), 100 (Joel Pineiro), 200 (Duaner Sanchez) and 250 (Horacio Ramirez), as well as the team record-breaking 51st in 2006 (Johan Santana), all had something in common.

``(Expletive). I got nothing but Latin players in my book,'' Ortiz joked.

Mikey likes it

Third baseman Mike Lowell (hip) took his first round of batting practice since going on the disabled list and came out feeling extremely encouraged.

``My first time outside, I'm extremely happy with it,'' he said. ``It's the best I've felt running all year. They were all really good signs. I've got another week to improve on this, and that's pretty encouraging to me.''

Lowell said when his hip was most painful, it hurt to take a first step on defense and to run 90 feet to first. But he ran a series of sprints yesterday without feeling any tightness.

``My flexibility is where I need it to be,'' he said.

Lowell still needs to test his hip tomorrow to see how it responds, but as things stand now, he expects to be activated from the DL when eligible after the All-Star break.

No go on Ryan

Though the Red Sox had some interest, they won't sign recently released reliever B.J. Ryan.

According to a Baseball source, the Sox considered the former Blue Jays closer as a lefty specialist, but once he clears waivers, Ryan is expected to sign with the Marlins, where he'll have a chance to close.

Kotsay's sore spot

First baseman Mark Kotsay is battling a sore calf that has limited his mobility. Terry Francona said Kotsay recently apologized for not being able to run out a ball, but the manager stressed he should be most concerned with staying healthy.

``That's typical of the guys we have,'' Francona said. ``They want to do the right thing.''

Kotsay went 1-for-3 last night, triggering the Sox' lone run with a leadoff single in the eighth.

Rocco's rocket

Last night's victory hinged on an outstanding defensive play from center fielder Rocco Baldelli in the eighth.

With two on and no outs, Miguel Olivo flied out to deep center. Baldelli caught his blast about four feet shy of the 379-foot sign in center and rifled a throw to second, where Mark Teahen was trying to advance. Baldelli's throw beat him, second baseman Dustin Pedroia applied the tag, and the Royals' best chance at breaking a scoreless tie was by the wayside.

``I was just trying to get the ball in,'' Baldelli said. ``It's not a situation where I'd normally try to throw a guy out. I was just trying to get it in as fast as I could to the vicinity of second base, and whatever happened, happened. I threw it before I even realized he was running.'' Baldelli noted that visiting players often overestimate the distance to the center field wall at Fenway. Although it looks far, it's only 379, as compared to 410 or 420 in other parks. . . . Comedian Bill Cosby attended the game. . . .

Closer Jonathan Papelbon saved his team-record seventh 1-0 game with a 1-2-3 ninth.

Read the Clubhouse Insider at bostonherald.com.

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