Some players just like certain ballparks, and Mookie Betts really enjoys Camden Yards.
The Boston Red Sox outfielder clobbered his sixth and seventh home runs of the season at the Baltimore stadium on Tuesday as he led his team to a 5-3 win against the Orioles.
Betts finished the game 2 for 4 with two home runs and five RBIs, raising his average to .315. What's more, Betts now has seven hits, five home runs and 13 RBIs in his last three games. He has 28 home runs and 89 RBIs on the season.
The seven home runs Betts has hit in Camden Yards this year are the most by a visiting player there in a single season. He is certainly making a strong case for American League MVP.
Before all of the Betts excitement, Red Sox starting pitcher Eduardo Rodríguez was removed in the fifth inning — with a no-hitter still intact — because of hamstring tightness. Rodriguez was able to walk off the field under his own power and may be able to make his next start. Boston's combined no-hit bid was broken up in the seventh inning.
MORE: Classic photos of David Ortiz
Player of the Day:Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve went 3 for 5 with an RBI in an 8-5 loss against the St. Louis Cardinals. The third hit was the 1,000th hit of his career, making him the first Astros player to achieve that feat during his first six seasons. Altuve also raised his average to an astonishing .365 on the year.
Highlight:
No foul ball is safe when Anthony Rizzo is around:
. @ARizzo44 specializes in the ridiculous. https://t.co/Jnx97Mxi9c pic.twitter.com/C3lfI6OPsW
— MLB (@MLB) August 17, 2016
Three things to know:
— Chase Utley returned to Philadelphia for the first time since being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers nearly one year ago (Aug. 19, 2015). Utley hit a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning and his seventh career grand slam in the seventh inning to give his former fans something to cheer about.
— The Atlanta Braves are set to recall top prospect shortstop Dansby Swanson on Wednesday after they sent Erick Aybar to the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday. Swanson is the No. 12-ranked prospect in MLB and was the No. 1 pick in the 2015 MLB Draft by Arizona before being dealt to Atlanta.
— The Tampa Bay Rays blasted the San Diego Padres 15-1 behind 16 hits and five home runs. Brad Miller led the way with two home runs and three RBIs, while Evan Longoria collected three hits including a home run and three runs scored.
What's Next:
Red Sox (66-52) at Orioles (66-52) 7 p.m. ET — The American League East has four teams separated by just 6 1/2 games and the Red Sox and Orioles are tied for second, one game back of the Blue Jays. David Price (10-8, 4.29 ERA) will take on Chris Tillman (15-4, 3.46 ERA) in a battle of team aces.
Blue Jays (68-52) at Yankees (61-58) 1:05 p.m. ET — New York fans desperately want to believe their team is still in the playoff picture, but the season is winding down and the division isn't getting any easier. Toronto's ageless wonder J.A. Happ (16-3, 2.96 ERA) will take the mound against CC Sabathia (7-9, 4.20 ERA) trying to extend the Blue Jays' modest division lead.