Missing a few games due to a sore hamstring, some might have thought it would have taken a few games for Mookie Betts to get back into the swing of things.
That wasn't the case at all, as Betts homered three times in the Red Sox' 5-4 win over the Royals Wednesday afternoon at Fenway Park.
It was the second time he's done that this season and fourth of his career, which passes Ted Williams for the most such games in Red Sox history.
Betts leads the Red Sox with 11 home runs, a .451 on-base percentage and a .823 slugging percentage so far this season. With this kind of power, perhaps Alex Cora could be thinking of moving him into the No. 3 or 4 spot in the order, but that isn't the case.
He will stay the lead-off hitter for the rest of the season.
"I think the power is coming because of his approach," Cora said to reporters after the game. "The temptation is to move him higher, probably. He'll hit leadoff for us the rest of the season."
"Well, that was obviously a great performance," he added of the three homer game. "The last one, a pitch up in the zone, able to get the hands above it and drill it, that was impressive. He's doing an outstanding job being ready to hit from the get-go and setting the tempo for the team."
Whenever Betts homers, it seems to be a good thing for the Red Sox. They have won each of their last 13 such games and are 31-3 in the last 34 such games.
Leading off or not, as long as Betts keeps hitting like he is it means good things are coming for Cora's team.
