BOSTON (AP) — Jake Peavy showed he hasn’t lost his sense of humor since his year with the Boston Red Sox.
Peavy, who won a World Series with the Red Sox three years ago, returned to Fenway Park with six strong innings for San Francisco on Tuesday night.
Brock Holt hit a solo homer off Peavy in the third, then David Ortiz hit a three-run shot in the fourth and Boston beat San Francisco 4-0.
It was Ortiz’s first homer since the All-Star break of the final season for the retiring slugger.
“He’s a year too late if you ask me in retiring,” Peavy joked about his former teammate. “I’d love to play that game without him tonight.”
Peavy still pitched well, but San Francisco continued to struggle at the plate and remained winless since the All-Star break with its fourth straight loss. The Giants had just five hits and only three runners advanced beyond first base.
“We just need somebody to get a big hit and inject some life into this offense,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “We look flat right now. You look flat when you don’t hit or drive in a run and they start pressing a little bit and we’ve got to get on track here soon.”
Rick Porcello (12-2) scattered four hits over 6 1-3 innings and the Red Sox won for the seventh time in eight games despite a strong start by Peavy.
Porcello settled down after allowing singles to the first two batters he faced and improved to 9-0 at home this season.
Porcello struck out three and walked two while improving to 9-0 at home. Porcello ended up striking out the side in the first and the Giants had two hits over the next five innings. Porcello left after walking Jarrett Parker with one out in the seventh. Reliever Robbie Ross got a quick double play to end the threat.
Peavy (5-8), a key member of Boston’s 2013 World Series champions, struck out six over six innings and held his former teammates to three hits, but two left the park.
Holt’s solo homer to center in the third was Boston’s first hit and the Red Sox tacked on three more runs when Peavy faced Ortiz in the fourth.
Dustin Pedroia led off with a walk and Xander Bogaerts followed with a single, setting up Ortiz’s shot to right that cleared the bullpen and several rows of seats before finally landing.
It was the 23rd homer of the season for Ortiz and the 526th of his career. Ortiz also didn’t seem to relish hitting it off Peavy.
“Peavy’s always going to be remembered here and welcomed to Boston,” Ortiz said. “Great teammate and great personality. I really enjoyed being his teammate.”
The Giants were in Boston for the first time since the Red Sox swept a three-game interleague series in 2007.
WELCOME BACK
Peavy joined the Red Sox in a deadline deal in 2013 and was traded about a year later. His short stay in Boston was memorable and the Boston fans welcomed him back with a warm reception early.
“I love Fenway Park and getting a chance to come back here as a visitor,” Peavy said. “Tonight was different because you’re in compete mode and you’re trying to find a way to win. But I certainly appreciate the fan response. From the time I walked out of the dugout, it was positive.”

TRAINER’S ROOM
Giants: OF Hunter Pence (strained left hamstring) had a couple of days off during a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento. Pence rested Sunday after getting hit by a pitch the day before and Sacramento was rained out Monday. ... Bochy said IF Joe Panik (concussion), also rehabbing with Sacramento, could be back in the lineup as soon as this weekend.
Red Sox: RHP Junichi Tazawa (right shoulder) could return to Boston’s bullpen by Friday, manager John Farrell said. ... C/LF Blake Swihart is closer to returning from a sprained left ankle, but it is not clear if he will catch again this season, Farrell said.
UP NEXT
Giants: RHP Matt Cain (1-5, 5.34 ERA) will get his first start since June 13 after spending more than a month on the DL with a strained right hamstring. The Giants plan to activate Cain before the game Wednesday.
Red Sox: LHP Drew Pomeranz makes his Boston debut since coming over in a trade with San Diego last week. Pomeranz was 8-7 with a 2.47 ERA with the Padres.