Ramirez, Leon carry Red Sox

BOSTON — David Ortiz became one of the most celebrated players in Red Sox history during his storied 14-year run in Boston.

On the night he returned to Fenway to have his No. 34 take its place among the franchise’s other legends, his former teammates did their part to make sure it was a memorable one.

Hanley Ramirez and Sandy Leon hit two-run homers and the Boston Red Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels 9-4 on Friday to cap a night in which Ortiz’s number became the latest retired at Fenway Park.

It was the 250th career home run for Ramirez, a good friend of Ortiz who was also born in the Dominican Republic. Leon finished with three hits and four RBIs.

Ramirez said he played with Ortiz on his mind.

“He’s my mentor, my big brother. He’s everything,” Ramirez said. “Today when I saw him on the field crying, it made me cry.”

He said his home run was in Big Papi’s honor.

“Definitely, definitely, definitely,” he said. “I was going to do his thing (pointing his hands in the air) but I forgot.”

Red Sox 9, Angels 4

The homers helped provide a nice cushion for Rick Porcello (4-9), who gave up four runs and struck out eight in 6 1/3 innings to earn the victory. It was the 13th straight start Porcello has gone at least six innings.

“It was vintage Porcello,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said. “A couple of pitches that cut his night short, but he was crisp throughout.”

This could serve as a needed confidence boost for Porcello, who had been 0-4 with a 7.92 ERA in his previous five starts, allowing 47 hits and 27 earned runs.

He had command of his pitches early, holding the Angels scoreless until the fourth, when a catching error by Leon at home allowed Albert Pujols to cross the plate.

Porcello said he isn’t sure if he has completely turned a corner yet after his slow start, but he has felt better in his recent starts.

“Today was a step in the right direction,” he said.

Alex Meyer (3-4) allowed five runs and five hits in 3 1/3 innings.

Los Angeles scored three runs in the seventh, but cooled off after Porcello left.