Rafael Devers did something that only a few other Boston Red Sox players have done.
During Monday night’s series-opening loss against the Baltimore Orioles, Devers launched a two-run home run in the third inning. But that deep bomb didn’t only put Devers atop the leaderboard for homers in the American League (9), it also earned him an exclusive honor.
Devers’ homer traveled 387 feet and landed on Eutaw Street at Camden Yards. That made Devers the 118th player in Major League Baseball history to hit a ball on the famed street, and the seventh Red Sox — including the first since Jackie Bradley Jr. (420 feet) did in 2017.
Before the Red Sox and Orioles squared off for their Tuesday night matchup, the Orioles marked Devers’ home run landing spot, which will be commemorated with a plaque, according to NESN’s Jahmai Webster.
Getting busy in the batter’s box against Baltimore isn’t anything new to Devers. The 26-year-old is a career .296 hitter when facing the Orioles, having hit 18 home runs over the course of 93 games played. He’s now slashed .421/.421/.684 in four Red Sox-Orioles matchups this season.
“We know what type of power he has, he’s been really doing a nice job taping into it early,” Red Sox hitting coach Peter Fatse said Tuesday, per NESN. “… He’s a guy that’s hit the ball, not just hard out of the ballpark, but everywhere hard right now.”
Devers’ plaque is expected to be placed in Camden Yards next March.
