On first Fenway homer, Cespedes clears Monster

BOSTON -- Yoenis Cespedes had already displayed his power for the Red Sox on the road, but he gave the Fenway faithful a treat in Friday night's 5-3, 10-inning loss to the Astros.

Cespedes hit a missile just over the Green Monster in the bottom of the fourth inning for a two-run shot, the first dinger of his career at Fenway Park.

"It felt good at the time because it put us ahead," said Cespedes. "That happiness was short-lived because we didn't get the win today."

It was the third homer for Cespedes in the last five games. His first two were both rockets in the eighth inning that led the Red Sox to victory.

"Yeah, when he squares a ball up, as strong as he is, as much batspeed as he has, he's going to hit some balls hard," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "It's been impressive what he's been able to do in the short time he's been here. But he's a strong guy with a good swing."