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Red Sox 7 – Brewers 11: Mookie Betts shines despite ugly loss

By Daniel Cassese

May 9, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) tags out Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Orlando Arcia (3) during the fourth inning at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) tags out Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Orlando Arcia (3) during the fourth inning at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 9, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts (50) hits an RBI double during the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts (50) hits an RBI double during the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Mookie Betts has himself a game

The best position player on the Red Sox (sorry Beni, not yet) hasn’t had the best season so far but had his second four-hit game of the season. Sunday’s game felt like his breakout performance, and with three hits in six at-bats including a double and homer, Mookie was truly locked in. That focus carried over to tonight’s game as he went 4-for-4 and reached in all five plate appearances.

He started the game with a leadoff homer – his first to start a game all season – that was measured at 433 feet and left the bat at 109 mph. He then went single – RBI double – walk – RBI double to wrap up his performance. Overall, he’d drive in four runs and finish a triple shy of the cycle.

A lot has been made of Mookie’s slow start to the season and his inability to hit expectations but I disagree with that assessment. His average is up to .304, higher than his career .302 mark. His .375 OBP is higher than his career .354 mark. His four steals in 28 games has him on a healthy pace with enough room to match his 150-game average of 24 over the last two seasons. He’s also developed into one of the toughest players in baseball to strikeout, with the second lowest strikeout rate (7.3%) among qualified batters.

After a borderline unrepeatable season, expectations are probably too high. There’s nothing wrong with Mookie and he’s proving it.

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