Mookie Betts has climbed his way up the ladder quickly this season as the league's best hitter, and he may be able to challenge Mike Trout for that title by the end of this season. He added to his resume on Friday night, connecting for his first-career walk-off home run in the 10th inning for a 4-3 Boston Red Sox victory over the Minnesota Twins. His game-winner came on the first pitch of the inning from Twins' reliever Matt Belisle, who suffered his first loss.
The final two innings of the game were vvery exciting at Fenway Park, beginning with the Twins rallying for two runs in the ninth on Eddie Rosario's two-run double to take a 3-2 lead. Rafael Devers would then force extra innings in the bottom of the ninth with a solo shot of his own, before Betts won it all in extras. The homer for the Red Sox All-Star outfielder was his 25th of the season, as he also leads the big leagues with a .345 batting average.
Jackie Bradley Jr. also went deep for a two-run long ball in the fifth inning, giving the Red Sox the lead at the time. That was supporting starter Chris Sale, who struck out 10 batters over six innings, leaving with the lead, making him on track to win his sixth straight start, Instead, he took a no-decision after closer Craig Kimbrel blew the save in his shot for his 33rd save of the season.
Tyler Thornburg got the win for the Red Sox after pitching a scoreless 10th inning, this after Boston handed Twins closer Fernando Rodney his sixth blown save of the season. Lance Lynn pitched well in the start for Minnesota, lasting six innings and giving up just two runs while striking out three. With the Yankees game getting rained out, the Red Sox gained a half game on them in the AL East, now holding a five-game lead. These two teams will play two more times this weekend.
The final two innings of the game were vvery exciting at Fenway Park, beginning with the Twins rallying for two runs in the ninth on Eddie Rosario's two-run double to take a 3-2 lead. Rafael Devers would then force extra innings in the bottom of the ninth with a solo shot of his own, before Betts won it all in extras. The homer for the Red Sox All-Star outfielder was his 25th of the season, as he also leads the big leagues with a .345 batting average.
Jackie Bradley Jr. also went deep for a two-run long ball in the fifth inning, giving the Red Sox the lead at the time. That was supporting starter Chris Sale, who struck out 10 batters over six innings, leaving with the lead, making him on track to win his sixth straight start, Instead, he took a no-decision after closer Craig Kimbrel blew the save in his shot for his 33rd save of the season.
Tyler Thornburg got the win for the Red Sox after pitching a scoreless 10th inning, this after Boston handed Twins closer Fernando Rodney his sixth blown save of the season. Lance Lynn pitched well in the start for Minnesota, lasting six innings and giving up just two runs while striking out three. With the Yankees game getting rained out, the Red Sox gained a half game on them in the AL East, now holding a five-game lead. These two teams will play two more times this weekend.
