BOSTON -- J.D. Martinez struck again with his power stroke for the Red Sox on Saturday night at Fenway Park, belting MLB-leading No. 38 over the home bullpen in right-center in a 5-2 victory over the Rays. The solo shot in the bottom of the third vaulted Martinez past Indians slugger Jose Ramirez for the lead.
Fenway fans will be in for a treat from Monday through Thursday, when Martinez and Ramirez play head-to-head for the first time this season.
With the Red Sox in possession of a 4-0 lead, Martinez added to it when he clocked a 96.6-mph fastball from Rays righty Tyler Glasnow a projected distance of 396 feet.
Martinez also extended his MLB lead in RBIs, to 106.
Of course, the production numbers are just part of what Martinez has meant to the Red Sox this season.
"Wow," said Red Sox lefty David Price, who got the win on Saturday. "To have 38 homers, and hitting [.333] and 100-plus RBIs, and he makes everybody better not just by being in the box, but by making the hitters before him better.
"It's pre-game, it's with his preparation, it's what he does in hitter's meetings. When he speaks, those guys listen. I really think Mookie Betts will win MVP of all of baseball and J.D. should win MVP for the Red Sox because of what he's brought to this team. It's not just the homers, the average, the RBI; he makes everybody better."
Martinez has been an absolute machine at Fenway, where he's reached base in 51 straight games, the third-longest streak ever at the venue in a single season, trailing only Ted Williams (69 games in 1941) and Joe Foy (54 games in '66).
"Yeah, a lot of people were talking about Fenway and J.D. -- like they didn't match because of the dimensions," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. "That swing plays in any ballpark in the big leagues. I know in April he crushed a few balls to right field, but the weather didn't help out. When it's hot and humid here, the ball flies. His stroke to right center is actually perfect for this ballpark."