David Ortiz exits in ninth inning after fouling pitch off leg

— -- BOSTON -- David Ortiz's farewell season took what appeared to be an ominous turn Wednesday night.

Ortiz couldn't put any pressure on his right leg after he fouled a pitch off it while facing New York Yankees closer Dellin Betances in the ninth inning of the Boston Red Sox's 9-4 loss at Fenway Park.

Ortiz crumpled to the ground and was in obvious pain before being helped from the field by Red Sox manager John Farrell and a trainer. He was taken in for X-rays, but results were not immediately available.

Farrell said it was the second time Ortiz has been hit in the right leg in the past few days.

The Red Sox can ill-afford to lose Ortiz, their cleanup hitter and the most feared slugger in their lineup.

On Wedneday, he went 0-for-2 with three walks, two of which were intentional. He is batting .308 with 36 doubles, 25 homers, 88 RBIs, a .401 on-base percentage and a 1.014 OPS this season.