David Ortiz hit one of the most important home runs of Boston’s season Sunday night, a towering three-run shot in the ninth inning that gave the Red Sox a come-from-behind, 5-3 win in Detroit and snapped a five-game losing streak.

Only time will tell if it was the type of blast that can turn a season around. Yet we knew right away a six-game losing streak was the last thing this team needed. With music playing in the clubhouse for the first time in a week, the Sox felt a whole lot better about heading to Baltimore – only to continue their up-and-down pattern with a 4-0 loss Monday night as Ortiz went hitless.

Still, Ortiz is the engine that drives the Sox offense, but no one batter can do it all. That’s why the most important player in Sunday night’s win might’ve been the guy with the best view of Big Papi’s homer. Mike Napoli returned from the disabled list just hours earlier in the night and was standing in the on-deck circle admiring the winning homer with everyone else.

Napoli followed the home run up with a single that didn’t have any effect on the game. But the first baseman’s presence in the lineup will have a major effect on the offense. Napoli is the other half of the one-two punch that powers the heart of the order that hadn’t been around for 15 days. The Jonny Gomes and Grady Sizemores who sat in the five-hole behind Ortiz could not provide the type of protection Napoli offers Ortiz.

They also can’t provide the power Napoli brings. Napoli went 3 for 4 in his first game back. Earlier in the night, Napoli hit his sixth home run of the season, becoming the first hitter to take Anibal Sanchez deep this season. Sanchez hadn’t given up a homer since Napoli got the best of him in Game 5 of last year’s American League Championship Series at Comerica Park.

On the Red Sox roster, only Ortiz has more home runs. That, despite Napoli missing 16 games.

The Red Sox are still short-handed with injury issues, but they are getting closer to full health. Shane Victorino could return as early as next week, and Will Middlebrooks began hitting over the weekend. Pitchers Felix Doubront and Clay Buchholz have also ramped up their rehab work.

In the wake of injuries other players have stepped up. Brock Holt has become indispensable as the sought-after leadoff hitter. Manager John Farrell has been so impressed he is finding new places for the middle infielder to play.

Holt spent most of last week playing first base for the first time in his life, going 6 for 24 while fielding the position well. With Napoli returning, Holt made his outfield debut Sunday night and went 4 for 5 with a nice catch in left.

Daniel Nava, whose struggles have been one of the biggest differences between 2013 and 2014, is 5 for 13 on the trip and showing signs of life.

Sunday’s win came on a day when every other team in the AL East lost. With Monday’s loss, the Sox are 10 games back in the division. That far down, a ball club can’t worry about other teams – it must look within itself.

And, for the first time since Napoli was injured, the Sox can feel a little stronger about the lineup they’re putting on the field.

Tom Caron is the studio host for Red Sox broadcasts on NESN. His column appears in the Press Herald on Tuesdays.