Bogaerts is tearing it up below the radar

BOSTON — You think Jackie Bradley Jr., with his 28-game hitting streak, is hot? Believe it or not, Xander Bogaerts might be even hotter.

Boston’s shortstop went 2-for-4 in Tuesday night’s 8-3 win over the Rockies and leads the American League with a .349 average.

The 17-game hitting streak by Bogaerts is the second-longest active one in the Major Leagues, after you know who.

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In truth, Bogaerts has been swinging a sizzling bat for longer than that. Over his last 31 games, Bogaerts has hit safely 29 times and has 19 multi-hit games. He is hitting .409 amid that torrid stretch, with 12 doubles, three homers, and 18 RBIs.

“I’m just trying to battle, you know? I’m seeing the ball well, just trying to get on base,” said Bogaerts. “I know I’m walking [a lot] lately. I give a lot of credit to that. Just going up with a gameplan. During games, I talk to [assistant hitting coach Victor …

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