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Wright shines in homecoming, Red Sox beat Dodgers 9-0

LOS ANGELES (AP) Knuckleballer Steven Wright dazzled in a three-hit shutout, which was a perfect homecoming performance.

The Torrance, California, native befuddled the Dodgers for nine innings, Mookie Betts had one of Boston's three homers and Sandy Leon drove in four runs to help the Red Sox cruise to a 9-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night with David Ortiz out of the lineup in an NL park.

Wright was greeted with a big bear hug from Ortiz after he put the finishing touches on his first career shutout.

''It's definitely nice to do it in a homecoming,'' said Wright, whose mom, dad, sister, brother and wife were in attendance. ''Watching Dodgers games is what I did growing up. To have an opportunity to pitch here was fun. To be able to throw my first complete-game shutout was icing on the cake.''

Wright (13-5) had nine strikeouts in his third complete game this season. He retired 15 in a row during one stretch and won his fifth straight decision.

Leon hit a two-run homer in the fourth. The switch-hitting catcher has had an outstanding summer, batting .467 in June and .355 in July.

Travis Shaw also homered, connecting for the 14th time this season. This was a homecoming for him as well, since his dad, Jeff Shaw, was a former Dodgers closer and All-Star. The ball landed in the Red Sox bullpen and was already in his locker for safe keeping after the game.

''Rounding the bases was unbelievable,'' Shaw said. ''I'll remember that for a long time.''

Dodgers starter Scott Kazmir (9-5) has lost two straight since a 13-start unbeaten streak. He allowed four runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

This game was all Boston and all Wright.

''I was just trying to go out there and establish your knuckleball for called strikes,'' Wright said. ''I think that's the biggest thing for knuckleballs. You want to show the hitters you're going for strikes and getting swings.''

Betts hit his 23rd of the year in the third, and Shaw, who replaced Dustin Pedroia in the lineup after Pedroia left the game with a left shin bruise, hit a solo homer in the eighth to give Boston a 5-0 lead.

''I do think that with a knuckleballer, a lot of righties have a little bit more success,'' Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. ''I liked our guys against him, but it's still a different visual. ... The ball was moving, changing speeds, eye level. He was doing everything he could to be effective.''

Ortiz was on the field as the Dodgers honored him in a pregame ceremony. Legendary broadcaster Vin Scully narrated a video tribute while Ortiz stood with former teammates Nomar Garciaparra, Adrian Gonzalez and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

The Dodgers presented Ortiz with a $10,000 check to his foundation, The David Ortiz Children's Fund. Gonzalez and his wife, Betsy, matched the donation.

Ortiz is expected back in the lineup Saturday. He'll play first base.

Pedroia was hit by Kazmir's pitch in the shin in the third inning and is day-to-day. X-Rays on his shin were negative.

WELCOME TO TOWN

Newly acquired outfielder Josh Reddick got his first taste of driving in Los Angeles traffic going to the stadium from Glendale, a Los Angeles suburb.

''For me it took four entrances and three wrong turns to get here, but I made it,'' Reddick said. ''I'll learn eventually.''

TRAINER'S ROOM

Red Sox: Ryan Hanigan was forced to leave Thursday night's game against the Mariners after taking a pitch off his left ankle. For Friday night, he was available only in the case of an emergency. Boston claimed Bryan Holaday off waivers from the Texas Rangers to solidify its catching corps.

Dodgers: Ace Clayton Kershaw (back) and outfielder Trayce Thompson (lower back) will both be out until at least September. ... Bud Norris (mid-back strain) will be placed on the disabled list to make room for Ross Stripling, who will start in his place on Saturday.

MINOR LEAGUE WATCH

Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig has yet to report to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Roberts said he hadn't reported yet because ''he's still got some loose ends to tie up, but he'll be there.'' When asked what those were, Roberts said: ''I don't know. That's his business, right?'' Puig was told before the trade deadline that he would either be traded or sent to the minor leagues.

UP NEXT

Red Sox: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (2-4, 5.91 ERA) has a 2.63 ERA in four starts since being recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket on July 16.

Dodgers: RHP Ross Stripling (2-3, 4.14 ERA) gets his first start since May 19. He had a 1.54 ERA in four appearances as a reliever since and has also made five starts and one relief appearance in Triple-A.