Betts helps Red Sox pull away in East race
CINCINNATI— Mookie Betts wasn’t about to stop. Neither are the Red Sox, who are heading home with a chance to win another division title.
Betts doubled with the bases loaded to tie it in the eighth inning and dashed home from second base on an infield single, rallying the Red Sox to a 5-4 victory Sunday that moved them closer to an AL East championship.
By winning 14 of its last 17 games, Boston has left virtually no opening for the second-place New York Yankees to catch up. The Red Sox, already assured a playoff spot, completed an 8-1 road trip that put them in excellent position to win a second consecutive division crown, something they’ve never done.
Coupled with New York’s 9-5 loss against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Red Sox reduced their magic number to three. They lead the Yankees by five games with seven to play.
That means Fenway Park can start preparing for a potential celebration. Boston finishes the regular season at home with three games against the Blue Jays and four against Houston. That series could be an ALDS preview, since the Astros (95-59) and Red Sox (91-64) have the second- and third-best records in the league.
“We’re learning a lot about ourselves,” said Doug Fister, who pitched into the sixth. “We can put ourselves in a corner early and fight back. If we need a touchdown, the boys can put up a touchdown.”
Red Sox and Reds players stood for the national anthem. Boston manager John Farrell said if any of his players follow the other athletes’ example and make a statement during the anthem, he’ll support them. “We strive to create an environment that’s inclusive,” Farrell said. “We would have their back as an organization if that’s the expression they chose. It’s their constitutional right.” Also Sunday: The Arizona Diamondbacks clinched their first post-season berth since 2011 when St. Louis and Milwaukee both lost Sunday. The DBacks went on to celebrate a 3-2 win against the Marlins.
The Washington Nationals clinched home-field advantage in the NL Division Series with a 3-2 victory over the Mets, with ace Max Scherzer striking out 10 for an NLmost 263 on the season.