Xander sets career high in HRs with big blasts

BOSTON -- Xander Bogaerts turned Thursday’s series finale against the Rays into a mini-home run derby. The shortstop blasted two shots out of Fenway Park, setting a career high with each swing of the bat.

Bogaerts’ season total stood at 25 after Boston’s 9-4 loss, surpassing the 23 he hit in 2018. He connected on Nos. 24 and 25 in his 106th game of ‘19; he didn’t reach No. 23 until the final game of the ‘18 regular season.

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Both home runs, off Rays starter Brendan McKay, traveled an estimated 383 feet, according to Statcast. Bogaerts rocked a full-count, 95.1 mph fastball to left field and drove in Mookie Betts in the first inning. Four frames later, on a 2-0 count, he sent a 94.1 mph fastball, again to left, for a solo shot.

“I think [I'm] trying not to chase as much as possible,” Bogaerts said. “Try not to expand the zone, stay within the strengths. These guys have been doing a great job letting me chase a lot, just try to minimize the strike zone and swing at strikes.”

Of the 99 home runs Bogaerts has hit over his seven-year career, only eight have been against the Rays. Prior to Thursday, he had not hit a home run off a Tampa Bay pitcher since April 7, 2018.

It’s the third time this season Bogaerts homered twice in a game. His previous multihomer games came on April 23, against the Tigers and on July 25, against the Yankees.

Over his career, he has achieved the feat five times.

Bogaerts finished the game 4-for-4 with three RBIs and heads toward the weekend series against the Yankees on a hot streak. He is hitting .407 with eight home runs and 19 RBIs since the All-Star break.

Betts joins Williams in Red Sox milestones

Boston's deep history is filled with milestones and achievements that haven't been touched for years, even decades.

Betts bridged a 70-year gap when he became the fastest Red Sox player (in terms of team games) to score 100 runs in a season since Ted Williams in 1949.

Betts crossed home plate twice on Thursday, for his 100th and 101st runs: in the first inning, on Bogaerts' first homer of the night, and in the seventh, when he belted his 19th homer of the season.