Wish Granted: Red Sox Star Mookie Betts Hits 3 HRs After Request

BOSTON — All Red Sox fans were wishing for Friday night was another win against the Yankees. And all 10-year-old Nico Sapienza was wishing for was a home run from Boston outfielder Mookie Betts.

And in Ruthian fashion, Betts helped deliver on all accounts. The reigning American League MVP smacked three homers in the first four innings against New York starter James Paxton, boosting the Sox to a much-needed 10-5 victory. Betts finished 4 for 5 with five RBIs and four runs scored.

Before the game, Sapienza, visiting courtesy of the Make-a-Wish Foundation, asked Betts to go deep for him. It isn't known if Betts guaranteed it, but like a genie, he made good on the wish three times.

The trio of longballs evoked memories of one of baseball's most halcyon-tinted legends. In the 1926, the Yankees' Babe Ruth made good on a promise he made to Johnny Sylvester, a sick boy who "wished he could see Babe Ruth wallop a homer before I die." Ruth then walloped three home runs in Game 4.

While Friday night didn't have quite the stakes, Betts made sure Sapienza wouldn't have to wait long. Betts homered on the Sox' first at-bat of the game. It was his fourth three-homer game from the leadoff spot set a new MLB record. It was his fifth three-homer game overall.

Betts fell short in his bid for his first four-homer game, doubling and grounding out in his next two at-bats.

Boston's fifth win in six games only pulled them within nine games of New York in the AL East, but they now sit only a half-game back in the race for the Wild Card playoff spot.