Red Sox congratulate Tribe: ‘They played great’

BOSTON — He worked a walk and took a moment to gather himself in the batter’s box before slowly jogging to first base. He pounded his chest and waved his outstretched arms up and down, physically entreating the crowd to get loud. No one wanted to win more than David Ortiz.

Once he had time to process the Red Sox’s season-ending 4-3 loss to the Indians in Game 3 of the American League Division Series at Fenway Park on Monday, Big Papi had nothing but respect for his opposition.

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“Definitely I had to congratulate Tito and the Cleveland Indians, they played unbelievable baseball,” Ortiz said. “And that’s what happened. That’s what the game is all about. Short series, whoever played the best is going to dominate.”

At the peak of their 11-game winning streak in September, the Red Sox were equipped with a team that was poised to reach the World Series. No one expected them to bend, let alone break.

Now, even though it’s painful, the Red Sox put everything aside and tipped their caps to the Indians.

“What they did to us, we expected to do to them, …

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