For the first time in his career, Cleveland Guardians third baseman José Ramírez left the yard three times in a single game.
Ramírez hit three home runs Thursday against the Boston Red Soxhitting home runs from both sides of the plate.
Cleveland Guardians third baseman José Ramírez rounds the bases after hitting his third home run of a game during the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox on June 8, 2023 at Progressive Field in Cleveland. (Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The four-time All-Star homered in his first three at-bats, hitting a 390-foot drive to right in the sixth for his third of the day, as the Guardians defeated the Red Sox 10-3.
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«Everybody in (the clubhouse) would say the same thing: He’s the best player in the game,» said Cleveland starter Aaron Civale. «He plays the game at his best every night.
«He may not be the most talented on paper. He may not be considered the best. But when he plays the way he does, he’s the best in the game.»
Ramírez had two chances in a four home run game but he struck out in his second at-bat of the sixth and grounded to third in the eighth.
Cleveland Rangers third baseman José Ramírez celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox on June 8, 2023 at Progressive Field in Cleveland. (Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
«My last two at-bats I was drifting away,» Ramirez admitted.
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Ramírez was trying to become the 17th player since 1901 to hit four home runs in one game. JD Martinez from Arizona He last accomplished the feat in 2017.
Cleveland Rangers third baseman José Ramírez (11) is doused with water by teammate Triston McKenzie (24) as they celebrate Ramírez’s three home run game against the Boston Red Sox on June 8, 2023 at Progressive Field in Cleveland. (Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
«What I was really looking for was [that] They didn’t go to a 3-0 count because I didn’t want to be the one to take it,» Cleveland manager Terry Francona said, according to MLB.com.
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The loss dropped Boston below .500 for the first time since April 28.
Associated Press contributed to this report