Five things we learned Tuesday: Night of the long ball

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The baseball month of May ended with a bang as Boston’s leadoff hitter achieved something nobody in that spot had done in franchise history, the Seattle Mariners added two-point conversions on their two touchdowns and forced two San Diego Padres position players to the mound, and a Miami Marlins hurler set a record for most strikeouts in any month in club history. Here are five things we learned Tuesday:

1. Three is its own crowd. Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts became the first leadoff hitter in franchise history to smack three home runs in one game, taking Baltimore Orioles right-hander Kevin Gausman deep in each of the first two innings — which in itself made Red Sox history — and adding a third later off overmatched right-hander Dylan Bundy. While Betts has been outstanding, there are actually five Red Sox hitters boasting a higher overall wins above replacement than the star right fielder. Still, this is a first-place team and first-place teams tend to create MVP candidates, so someone on the club – perhaps several players – will likely vie for the honor. At this point shortstop Xander Bogaerts, hitting .350 and with a 24-game hitting streak, probably would get the nod, but then again, Betts is suddenly on pace for 37 home runs, 125 RBI, 25 steals without being caught and, get this, 153 runs scored. Will be tough to beat that!

2. Kings of the long ball. Give credit to the contending Mariners for slugging another five home runs in their 16-4 win over the beleaguered Padres, but it’s still hard to believe no big league team has clouted more than their 72 round-trippers this season (the Mets have the same amount). It’s been more than a decade since …

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