Big Papi is the biggest DH

BOSTON -- David Ortiz knows a thing or two about breaking home run records.

Back in 2006, the slugger set the Red Sox's single-season franchise mark with 54 long balls and, after clocking his 24th tater of the year in Tuesday's 4-1 victory over the Angels at Fenway Park, he now finds himself on top of another historic home run list.

Big Papi's two-out, eighth-inning blast off Los Angeles reliever Jose Arredondo was his 270th dinger as a designated hitter, passing Frank Thomas for the most all-time at that position.

"That's something that I wasn't really thinking about," Ortiz said. "But records are there for a reason, and people need to keep that in mind. Being up there with a guy like Frank Thomas, it's great."

What's more, the Red Sox improved to 21-2 this season when Ortiz goes deep, something he's done 23 times since June 6. All of this after a well-documented slow start to 2009 that left him homerless until May 20.

"Obviously he's a big presence in our lineup," third baseman Mike Lowell said. "We hope he gets going."

Ortiz has been going at a pretty torrid pace over the past week, batting .529 (9-for-17) over the course of a six-game hitting streak that's raised his once unsightly average to .233.

"I've been feeling good," Ortiz said. "Things are going good. I think everything is clicking at the right time."