Boston Red Sox: Mookie Betts with 8 RBI in 15-1 win over Bluejays

The Boston Red Sox took down the Toronto Bluejays 15-1 on Sunday as Mookie Betts exploded with 2 home runs and 8 RBIs.

The Boston Red Sox bats were electric on Sunday as they routed the Toronto Bluejays 15-1. Drew Pomeranz was spectacular on the mound in his start, but he was overshadowed by right fielder Mookie Betts.

Betts recorded 8 total RBIs on the day, with 5 of those coming on 2 home run balls.

It’s the second time in his career that Mookie Betts has recorded 8 RBIs in a single game. He also tied the MLB record for RBIs in a single game as the leadoff man.

"According to ESPN, “Only five players have recorded eight RBIs in a game from the leadoff spot since 1920, when RBIs became an official statistic.”"

Ronnie Belliard in 2003 for the Colorado Rockies, Jim Northrup in 1973 for the Detroit Tigers, Bill Glynn in 1954 for the Cleveland Indians and Augie Bergamo in 1945 for the St. Louis Cardinals are the other five players to have 8 RBIs from the leadoff spot. Betts, of course, played it off like it was no big deal.

"”When you get to the plate, you’re just expecting a good pitch to hit and you’re ready for it,” Betts said. ”Today I was just more ready than other days.”"

Last August Mookie had his first 8 RBIs game. He joins Nomar Garciaparra as the only Red Sox with two such games, and Nelson Cruz as the only current players to do so.

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On the mound, Drew Pomeranz locked things down. He improved to 8-4 on the season with his third straight road win. In fact, Pomeranz hasn’t lost on the road since May 9th in Milwaukee. In his six road starts over that span Pomeranz is 3-0 with a 1.82 ERA.

Designated hitter Hanley Ramirez also may have turned things around, as he collected three hits. One of those hits was a two-run long ball. Boston had a season-high 21 hits as a team on Sunday.

After Pomeranz made it through six solid innings, Fernando Abad took over. He never gave the ball up and pitched the final three innings, securing his first save of the season while giving Craig Kimbrel a break.

Next: David Price could learn a thing or two from Chris Sale

The Red Sox have won four straight, and six of their last seven. Next up is another road series, this time against the Texas Rangers. Rick Porcello will get the start in the first game of that series on Monday night.