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Red Sox star Mookie Betts matches franchise record with 30 home runs by leadoff hitter

Mookie Betts added to his MVP credentials with his 30th home run of the season to put away the New York Yankees and seal a third consecutive AL East division title for the Boston Red Sox.

The three-run blast came with two outs in the eighth inning against Aroldis Chapman. The Yankees closer tried go inside with a slider that Betts was able to turn on, pulling it down the left field line to extend Boston’s lead to 11-5.

Betts is one of only two current Red Sox players, along with Rafael Devers, who can claim to have taken Chapman deep.