Mookie Betts blasts three homers in Red Sox’ win

Whit Merrifield to third. (Mike Trout could call it quits now at the age of 26 and arguably be a Hall of Famer). They went up 3-0 on Butera’s two-run double with two outs in the second. That nearly forced the hand of manager Jeff Banister, who left Moore on the mound to eat up some innings even as the Rangers never mounted a serious threat to come back in the game.

The Royals now own the worst record in the American League (8-22) and are only one game behind the Cincinnati Reds for having the worst record in the MLB. After Barnes put the tying run on, he fanned Alcides Escobar.

Gordon and Whit Merrifield recorded back-to-back singles off Johnson in the 13th prior to Soler’s decisive blast.

Red Sox starter Drew Pomeranz (1-1) earned his first win of the season, settling in after a shaky first two innings.

Rodriguez is 3-0 with a 4.78 ERA this season, with the Red Sox winning each of his five starts.

With the sun shining and the temperature at 86 degrees, the matinee provided ideal conditions for hitting home runs, as the Red Sox hit four with one by J.D. Martinez and the rest by Betts. Xander Bogaerts to second.

Flynn retired Nunez on a liner to center for his first career save.

Fernando Romero won his major league debut by scattering four hits over 5 2/3 innings of the Twins’ 4-0 shutout of the Blue Jays. Note that there were 41 home runs in 15 games on Tuesday and 42 in 15 games on Wednesday, both higher per game rates than the 2017 season rate.

Many things in baseball are uncertain, but you can’t give Betts a pitch to do damage with, because he certainly will make you pay. Asked before the game if Fenway Park was restricting Martinez’s opposite-field power, Cora smiled and said, “Nah, nah, nah”. Miley (1-0) allowed three hits, struck out four and walked three.

Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks now list the Red Sox as a -145 favorite. It was the second time he allowed three homers at Fenway Park (also August 27, 2016). Hanley Ramirez grounds out to second base, Whit Merrifield to Cheslor Cuthbert.

“Obviously when he comes back, that’s going to be his spot again”, said Mazara, the primary cleanup hitter with Beltre out since April 25 because of a strained left hamstring. Cheslor Cuthbert homers to right field. He did walk more and still finished sixth in the MVP voting, but there was the feeling that Betts was maybe a little too passive at times and not attacking pitches in the strike zone like he did in 2016.