Mookie hits three HRs after child’s homer request

BOSTON — Reigning American League MVP and Boston Purple Sox outfielder Mookie Betts homered thrice in 4 innings towards the New York Yankees on Friday night time, serving to Boston roll to a 10-5 win.

Betts completed the night Four-for-5 with 5 RBIs and 4 runs.

He led off the sport with a towering homer over the Inexperienced Monster off Yankees starter James Paxton, following up with a line shot over the Monster within the third inning and including one other within the fourth. The three-homer sport from Betts marked his fourth from the leadoff spot, passing Alfonso Soriano for essentially the most in MLB historical past. Betts grew to become the eighth participant in MLB historical past with 5 three-homer video games, becoming a member of the likes of Alex Rodriguez, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Carlos Delgado and Joe Carter.

“It has been a protracted 12 months,” Betts stated after the sport. “Clearly not the identical as final 12 months, however you need to roll with the punches. In the present day was a great day. Gotta prepare for tomorrow.”

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With two probabilities to hit a fourth residence run, Betts doubled within the sixth inning to drive in Michael Chavis and grounded out within the eighth. Betts stated he did not suppose a lot concerning the alternative to hit his fourth homer.

“Not an entire lot,” Betts stated, “however in my final at-bat there, I’d as properly take a shot at it.”

Earlier than Friday’s sport, Betts met with a baby from the Make-A-Want basis, 10-year-old Nico Sapienza, who requested him to hit a house run for him.

“I am glad he got here,” Betts stated. “He is our good-luck attraction. He is a terrific child. I feel him and his household had enjoyable down at BP. If I can use the platform I’ve to make individuals smile like that, then I do know I’ve performed one thing properly.”

“For him to stroll him round and meet all people, it was a terrific day for everyone,” supervisor Alex Cora stated. “I do know that Mookie feels good about what occurred. I do not know if he promised something, but when he did promise, properly … it was a terrific night time for everyone that was concerned with that.”

The trio of homers from Betts marked the fourth straight day a participant has hit three residence runs, together with Mets second baseman Robinson Cano on Tuesday, Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong on Wednesday and Twins DH Nelson Cruz on Thursday.

That prolonged the MLB report for many consecutive days with a three-homer sport. In line with Elias Sports activities Bureau analysis, when Cruz hit three Thursday, it was the primary time in main league historical past that there had been a three-homer sport on three consecutive days.

Betts’ three-homer sport was the 15th in MLB this season — there have been 14 every of the previous two seasons.

Betts is the fourth Purple Sox participant to have a three-homer sport towards the Yankees at Fenway Park, becoming a member of Steve Pearce (2018), Kevin Millar (2004) and Mo Vaughn (1997). No participant has ever hit 4 residence runs in a sport towards the Yankees.