Watch: Red Sox's Verdugo continues streak of lead-off HRs

Boston Red Sox right fielder Alex Verdugo (99) reacts after hitting a home run during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Fenway Park. Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Red Sox's Alex Verdugo continues insane streak of lead-off HRs

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 8/26/23

Alex Verdugo will likely stay in the No. 1 spot in the Boston Red Sox's batting order for the foreseeable future. Verdugo smashed his third-consecutive leadoff home run on Saturday afternoon, making unique franchise history.

In the bottom of the first, Verdugo took Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias deep, destroying a 1-1 slurve 380 feet over the right-centerfield wall, becoming the first Red Sox player ever to hit leadoff homers in three straight games.

Make that THREE straight games with a leadoff home run for Alex Verdugo. pic.twitter.com/3i05CidSIp
— MLB (@MLB) August 26, 2023

Verdugo also joined another all-time Red Sox list, becoming the 13th player in Boston history to have at least five leadoff homers in a career. Meanwhile, only Enrique Hernandez (six, 2021), Mookie Betts (six, 2016), and Nomar Garciaparra (seven, 1997) have more leadoff bombs than Verdugo in a single season, per J.P. Long of the Red Sox.

The 27-year-old began his torrid stretch on Thursday, opening the game on the road against the Houston Astros with a leadoff homer off J.P. France en route to a 4-for-7 day with two RBI in a 17-1 thrashing by the Red Sox.

Dugie wasting absolutely no time! pic.twitter.com/lf59nHgP2b
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 24, 2023

Verdugo went yard off Dodgers starter Lance Lynn on Friday, finishing 1-of-3 at the plate in a 7-4 Red Sox loss.

DUGIE DOES IT. pic.twitter.com/ysS4k3stfS
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 25, 2023

With Betts, the former Red Sox's star outfielder, in town with the Dodgers, Verdugo picked the perfect time to keep his hot streak going. Verdugo was a crucial part of the trade package that netted the Dodgers Betts and David Price in 2020.

Verdugo has seemingly found his role in his fourth season with the Red Sox. Entering Saturday's action, Verdugo had played 467 games for Boston, batting .286/.344/.430 with 41 home runs and 202 RBI.

Also, Verdugo is on the cusp of setting a career-high in long balls. After hitting No. 12 on the year Saturday, Verdugo needs just two more to top his previous best of 13 in 2021.

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