BOSTON -- Xander Bogaerts doesn't usually try to hit home runs, because that's an endeavor destined for failure. But on Thursday night against the Yankees, he made an exception.
His mom had just arrived, and he wanted to put on a show.
Bogaerts had already homered once when he stepped to the plate in the eighth inning against Yankees position player Austin Romine, called on to close out a blowout 19-3 loss.
Bogaerts' 451-foot shot off of Masahiro Tanaka in the first inning was majestic, but it came too early, because his mom, Sandra Brown, and uncle, Glenroy Brown, had just landed from Aruba and were en route to Fenway Park.
Romine actually had the count in his favor at 1-2 when he left one over the plate that Bogaerts did not miss, blasting it into the left field seats, allowing his mom to witness the capper on a monster night.
"My mom, my uncle, my Little League coaches got in today," Bogaerts said. "I hit the first one and they weren't here and then I looked up and saw them arrive and struck out. I'm like, typical. But then they were there the whole game, I got a couple of hits and the last at-bat I saw my mom there and I'm like, 'I'm going to try.' It didn't work out for a couple of pitches, but I was happy it did."
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Bogaerts actually saw his family take their seats during a long top of the second inning, when starter Rick Porcello pitched his way into and then out of trouble. Bogaerts led off the bottom of the third hoping to give them something to remember, but struck out on three pitches.
"Typical," he said. "Trying to do too much."
Still, by the time he stepped in against Romine with one out in the eighth, he was already 3 for 5. He soon made it 4 for 6, finishing with four runs and four RBIs to pace the runaway win. His 22nd and 23rd home runs of the season tied last year's career high.
His second home run came with a large contingent from Aruba in the stands, waving flags, as well as a TV crew from his home island, who interviewed Hall of Famers like broadcaster John Smoltz about the breakout star shortstop before the game.
"I've tried it," Bogaerts said of aiming for a home run. "It hasn't worked out a lot. Not the first time but very few times. Position player, it might be a little easier to do than off a real pitcher because real pitchers have good stuff. It worked out.
"It's cool, right? I saw a lot of flags today. It was awesome. I think just going home with my mom a little bit, my uncle, being with them now will be better. It's special having them here. Coming through a little clutch for them and having them enjoy watching me play and doing productive stuff for the team."
Sox set multiple offensive records in 19-3 thrashing>>>>>
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