Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers is in unreal slugging mode and Monday night was no different. Playing against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, Devers set a club record by homering in six straight games, helping Red Sox to a 5-0 win in their series opener.
To keep the streak going, Devers hit a two-run homer to left in the top of the fourth inning off Rays righty Taj Bradley. His 10th dinger of the season came off the bat at an exit velocity of 104.5 mph and sailed a projected distance of 382 feet.
The previous Boston record was five straight games by Jimmie Foxx, Ted Williams, Dick Stuart, George Scott, Jose Canseco and Bobby Dalbec.
Looking back at major league history, the most consecutive games with a home run are seven games by Mike Trout, who achieved this feat from September 4–12, 2022. Joey Votto, too, had seven straight home run games between July 24 and 30, 2021. Devers joins Paul Goldschmidt for third on the list for home runs in six straight games.
The bat is still hot and it remains to be seen if Devers homers in seven straight and, if possible, even break Trout and Votto's record.
Rafael Devers fuels Red Sox past Rays
Rafael Devers and Tanner Houck contributed immensely to the Red Sox's 5-0 win over the Rays. Houck allowed only two hits, one in his seven scoreless innings, where he struck out five hitters. Devers only hit was that two-run shot, which came in the fourth inning.
Justin Slaten came in relief to pitch two clean innings. Apart from Devers, Ceddanne Rafaela also homered.
With the win, the Red Sox improved to 24-24, while the Tampa Bay Rays slid to 25-24. Game 2 of the series will be played on Tuesday.
Rafael Devers seems to be putting in a strong season, with him slashing .284/.380/.567, including 10 home runs and 23 RBIs.