Jason Varitek added a pair of doubles for the Red Sox, who avoided matching their longest losing streak this season. Boston had lost its previous four games to close a 10-game trip.

Ortiz homered into the first row of the seats above the Monster in the second off Jeff Suppan (2-3), driving in Julio Lugo and Ellsbury and extending the Red Sox lead to 4-0.

Matsuzaka walked the first batter he faced but settled down after that. He escaped a jam in the sixth with runners on second and third and no outs, striking out Hart and J.J. Hardy before Joe Dillon flied out.

“I guess I’ve stopped thinking I’m a pitcher that can paint the corners,” said Matsuzaka, who walked eight in five innings two starts ago. “I’m throwing a little less there.”

The Red Sox have won Matsuzaka’s last 11 starts.

“One inning we had the bases loaded and didn’t score,” Yost said. “We got the pitch count up high and that was a nice inning to battle through — make him throw pitches and got his pitch count up.”

Jonathan Papelbon got the final three outs for his 12th save, despite giving up a solo homer to Ryan Braun with two out.

Suppan gave up four runs on nine hits in six innings, and lost for the third time in four starts. The Brewers have lost three straight overall.

After retiring the first two batters in the first, Suppan walked Ortiz, hit Ramirez on the left hand and allowed Youkilis’ single. J.D. Drew then walked to give Boston a 1-0 lead.

Notes: Ellsbury has been successful on all 25 stolen-base attempts in his career, most by a Red Sox rookie since 1920. ... Brewers LF Gabe Kapler, who retired prior to last season after playing with the Red Sox, received a nice ovation before his first at-bat in the second game. ... Crisp was back in the lineup for the nightcap after leaving Tuesday’s game in Baltimore with a headache and upset stomach. ... The Red Sox wore their red jerseys for the first time this season in the night game. ... Boston RHP Curt Schilling, rehabbing from shoulder weakness since spring training, threw from 90 feet Friday. ... The Red Sox plan to option OF Jonathan Van Every to Pawtucket and RHP Chris Smith’s contract will be purchased from Triple-A on Sunday.

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