BOSTON — Mookie Betts hit his first major league home run Wednesday at Fenway Park.
Betts, playing in his fourth big league game, had been 1-for-10 before Wednesday’s series finale against the Chicago Cubs. Reliever Carlos Villanueva gave Betts a pitch he could handle in the fifth inning, and the 21-year-old launched it over the Green Monster for a two-run homer.
Betts hit eight homers in 77 minor league games this season split between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket before receiving his first major league call-up prior to Saturday’s game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. The former fifth-round pick has hit 23 home runs in 276 career minor league games.
Wednesday’s blast also marked Betts’ first hit at Fenway, as he had been 0-for-9 at the friendly confines before going yard.
