Mookie Betts’ Grand Slam Leads Red Sox to 10th Straight Win

Mookie Betts drove in five runs, including four on a grand slam home run as the Boston Red Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-4 at Fenway Park on July 12th. The win was the 10th in a row for the red hot Red Sox (66-29), who maintained a 3 1/2 game lead over the New York Yankees (61-31). New York beat the Cleveland Indians 7-4 to keep pace.

Here’s a look at Betts’ grand slam:

Betts is having a great season. The 25 year old outfielder is leading the American League with a .352 batting average, and has 23 homers and 49 RBIs, plus an on base percentage of .440 and 16 stolen bases. He’s got these numbers despite missing 14 games with an abdominal strain.

Betts and Cleveland’s Francisco Lindor (.297, 25 homers, 62 RBIs, OBP of .371, and 12 stolen bases) are probably the two best lead off hitters in the majors right now, exhibiting power, speed, and an excellent ability to get on base. To us, their play is reminiscent of two other lead off men who had similar capabilities: Hall of Famers Rickey Henderson and Paul Molitor.