Betts homers three times; Red Sox beat Royals, 5-4
It was the fourth three-homer game for the 25-year-old
BOSTON — Mookie Betts belted three solo homers and J.D. Martinez also went deep, powering the Boston Red Sox to a 5-4 American League baseball victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday afternoon.
It was the fourth three-homer game for the 25-year-old Betts, who snapped a tie with Hall of Famer Ted Williams for most three-homer games in franchise history.
Betts also became the first player in major league history with four three-homer games before turning 26, according to STATS.
AL East-leading Boston won for the third time in four games after losing 7-6 in 13 innings on Tuesday night.
Trainer’s room Royals: 3B Mike Moustakas returned to the starting lineup after just pinch-hitting on Tuesday. He was hit on the right forearm by a pitch in the series opener.
Red Sox: Betts started for the first time since leaving Saturday’s game with a tight right hamstring . ... LHP Eduardo
Rodriguez was placed on the family medical leave list and RHP
Marcus Walden was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket. Manager Alex Cora doesn’t know if the lefty will miss his turn in the rotation.
Get back
The Royals scored a strange run in the first.
With Jorge Soler on second and Whit Merrifield on third and one out, Salvador Perez hit a fly ball near the triangle in centre.
Merrifield waved Soler back as he raced home. Soler was doubled up.
Perez was credited with a sacrifice fly because Merrifield crossed before the double play was completed.
Up next
Royals: LHP Eric Skoglund
(1-2, 6.23 ERA) starts Thursday afternoon at home against Detroit. He allowed one run in a career-high seven innings in his previous start.
Red Sox: LHP David Price (2-3, 3.78 ERA) starts Thursday night at Texas .