BOSTON — When David Ortiz hit the 50-double plateau for the season Wednesday night, the Red Sox slugger said it didn’t mean much to him.

He didn’t mean it in a negative way. He’s just not the kind of player who dwells on individual accomplishments, preferring to put the team first. That’s a big reason why the Red Sox have enjoyed so much success this season.

Last night, Ortiz continued his dominance at the plate, collecting his 52nd double of the season. His shot off the left-field wall in the bottom of the first inning also was his 51st double as a designated hitter, setting a single-season mark in the American League. And in the eighth inning, Ortiz slugged his 35th home run of the season.

To say Ortiz is having a special season is a huge understatement.

He has battled injuries all season and has been a virtual walking ice pack in the clubhouse, but through it all he has performed at a high level. Red Sox manager Terry Francona pointed out that if Ortiz hadn’t been hurt, some of the doubles might have been home runs.

“What’s amazing,” said Francona, “is you would think when guys try to swing to hit the ball out of the ballpark you would lose your swing. But his batting average has been terrific. He hasn’t left the strike zone very much. He just set the bar so high.”

Ortiz entered last night’s game with a .330 average with 34 homers, 116 RBI and 110 walks. In fact, before he grounded out to second base in the sixth inning last night, he had reached base safely in 11 consecutive plate appearances.

He also has a seven-game hitting streak going, during which he has hit well over .500. It’s an excellent time to get hot with the playoffs looming.

“He seems to be in a groove now,” said Francona. “He’s a pretty feared hitter.”

Ellsbury hobbled

Jacoby Ellsbury, who had to leave Thursday night’s game because of cramping in his right calf, was back in the lineup last night against Minnesota. The rookie sparkplug fouled two pitches off his lower right leg in his first-inning at-bat on Thursday, which resulted in a contusion that led to the cramping. It was clear something was bothering him when Ellsbury, a very solid outfielder, looked to be in discomfort in getting a poor jump and being unable to get to Garrett Jones’s looping single in the fourth. Francona said prior to last night’s game that Ellsbury was still “tender,” but it was clear with his performance the cramping did not linger.

Ellsbury has been filling in for Coco Crisp, who has been ill. Crisp was unavailable again last night, missing his fourth straight game.

Around the bases

Pitcher Matt Clement continues his rehab from shoulder surgery, going one inning in an instructional league game on Thursday. . . The Red Sox and the City of Boston will hold a rally from 4-7 p.m. on Monday at City Hall Plaza to kick off the postseason. Events are planned for the festivities, including a music performance by the Dropkick Murphys. The 1967 Impossible Dream team will be honored, and the event is free . . . Red Sox pitching prospect Justin Masterson attended last night’s game. He stood behind the batting cage with GM Theo Epstein . . . Daisuke Matsuzaka, Boston’s starter last night, entered the top of the fifth inning with 200 2/3 innings pitched this season, becoming the first Red Sox rookie since Frank Sullivan (1954) to reach that plateau.

jmcdonal@projo.com