Betts sets Boston mark with fourth 3-HR game

Mookie Betts heard the name Ted Williams, and that was enough for him.

Betts belted three solo homers Wednesday as the Red Sox edged the Royals 5-4 win. It was the fourth three-homer game for the 25-year-old Betts, snapping a tie with Williams for most three-homer games in franchise history.

Betts broke into the majors with the Red Sox in 2014, so he was well aware of the significance of the connection to the Hall of Famer.

“It’s pretty cool,” Betts said. “He hit .400 in a year and did a whole bunch of things I haven’t done. Just to know my name is amongst his is pretty cool.”

Betts also hit three homers in a 10-1 victory at the Angels on April 17. He is the first player in major league history with four three-homer games before turning 26, according to STATS. CLOSE BUT ... >> The Rays have played a baseball-high 15 games decided by one run, including the last four, and have won just five of those games.

Manager Kevin Cash, with a lot of gray hair, is well aware of how many tight games he has managed this season. “Look at my hair,” he deadpanned.

The Rays are 13-16, 81/2 games behind the majors-leading Red Sox.

YANKS MONTGOMERY ON DL >> Yankees starter Jordan Montgomery could miss up to eight weeks because of an injury to his left elbow.

A STICKY SITUATION >> Indians right-hander Trevor Bauer believes MLB should allow pitchers to use sticky substances on the ball during games.

The present rules that ban pitchers from doing so are rarely enforced, he said Wednesday. He added sticky substances increase movement on the ball and give pitchers an advantage.

Bauer started a Twitter battle on Tuesday when he insinuated Houston Astros pitchers are using such substances.