BOSTON – Jhonny Peralta’s debut with Detroit was powerful enough to withstand a late grand slam by David Ortiz.

Peralta hit two homers Friday night in his first game since being traded and the struggling Tigers beat the Boston Red Sox 6-5 despite Ortiz’s ninth-inning homer against closer Jose Valverde.

The Red Sox lost the opener of a seven-game homestand after sweeping a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels to end their West Coast swing at 6-4.

Peralta, obtained Wednesday from the Cleveland Indians, hit a solo homer in his first at-bat in the second inning, then connected again off Jon Lester, a two-run shot in the fifth.

“It’s something special, this first at-bat for the Tigers,” Peralta said. “I feel good to come here the first game and do what I’m doing.”

Going into the game, Peralta had just two singles in 15 at-bats against Lester with one RBI, five strikeouts and two double plays. On Friday he also walked against Lester and singled off Ramon Ramirez.

“He hadn’t had much success with (Lester) but neither have a lot of other guys,” Detroit Manager Jim Leyland said. “So it was nice to see him get on the board right away as a Tiger.”

Detroit took a 6-1 lead into the ninth and Valverde struck out the leadoff hitter, Eric Patterson. Then he walked the next three batters and Ortiz connected for his 22nd homer, just clearing the low fence in right field.

“It was a nice swing,” Boston Manager Terry Francona said. “Would have been nicer if it was a five-run homer.”

With two outs, Adrian Beltre doubled and J.D. Drew was walked intentionally. But on his 60th pitch of the game, 12 more than his previous career high, Valverde retired Mike Cameron on a called third strike with a splitter.

“That’s a pretty gutsy pitch,” Francona said. “I would have been looking for a fastball, too.”

Valverde pounded his right fist on the mound and catcher Gerald Laird punched the air as the ball broke over the plate.

“I just didn’t get it done,” said Cameron, who struck out in his last three at-bats, twice against Valverde. “One of those rough nights. Threw a good pitch.”

The Tigers, just 4-12 since the All-Star break, acquired Peralta for left-hander Giovanni Soto to play third base after Brandon Inge went on the disabled list with a broken left hand. Peralta has nine homers this season, none in his last eight games with Cleveland and two in his last 23.

Armando Galarraga lost a chance for the win when he was struck on the outside of the right ankle by a liner from Kevin Youkilis with two outs in the fifth and Detroit leading 4-1. He left with a bruise and was replaced by Enrique Gonzalez, who got the final out of the inning.

“He was checked out by the doctors and everything is OK from any type of breaking standpoint,” Leyland said. “He’s sore, limping a little bit, but he should be fine.”

Robbie Weinhardt (1-1) was awarded his first career victory after allowing no runs in the next two innings.

 

NOTES: At 43 years, 362 days, Wakefield became the oldest pitcher to appear in a game for the Red Sox. He passed Dennis Eckersley, who was 42 years, 358 days. … Left fielder Johnny Damon was a late scratch for Detroit with pain in the middle of his back. … Jeff Frazier, called up Friday by Detroit after hitting 23 homers for Triple-A Toledo this season, went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts as the DH. … Boston outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, on the DL since May 28 with fractured ribs, is scheduled for a rehab appearance today with Triple-A Pawtucket. … Lester allowed four runs and 11 hits in six innings.