Devers rediscovers power stroke in Seattle

SEATTLE -- Rafael Devers hammered his second home run of September on Monday night against the Mariners, increasing his career-best season total to 34.

“I love playing here, especially since this is where I had my debut,” Devers said with a chuckle on Tuesday. “This is a beautiful city to play in, as well. It’s always good to come to the city of Seattle and play.”

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Added Red Sox manager Alex Cora: “He likes hitting here; we know that. Hopefully, it’s the beginning of something great.”

Before connecting on Monday, Devers last homered on Sept. 4 vs. Cleveland.

Devers began the 2021 season on a torrid home run pace. He hit his first in Boston’s seventh game of the year. That sparked a four-game stretch during which Devers racked up five home runs while going 7-for-16. He finished April with seven homers.

Devers went deep every 13.1 at bats that first month and showed consistent power through an eight-homer July in which he homered every 12.3 at-bats. Things slowed a bit in August, with a homer every 21.6 at-bats. Entering Tuesday, Devers had two September homers in 42 at-bats.

Perhaps the drive over the right-field wall on Monday could spark another dominant stretch. Devers says he’s not focused on individual stats.

“You never know,” said the 24-year old All-Star, who entered Tuesday with three homers and a .925 OPS in 11 career games at T-Mobile Park. “Obviously, it can happen, but that’s just baseball. Maybe it will start something, maybe it won’t. Right now, what’s most important is for us to win ballgames.

“It felt good to be able to get a homer on the board, but we’re thinking bigger than that.”