Boston Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida had three hits in an MLB game for the first time Monday, going 3-for-3 in a 5-4 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.
Yoshida, who on Sunday became the first Japanese to hit two homers in one inning in the major leagues, singled in the second, third and sixth innings off Baltimore starter Dean Kremer at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Yoshida has hit safely in five straight at-bats and in five consecutive games. He drew a walk in his fourth and last trip to the plate in the ninth.
"I've been able to think about hitting the ball to the opposite field even when I'm behind in the count," said the former Orix Buffaloes player, who is picking up his form after recovering from right hamstring tightness. "I had a base hit to left-center in my first at-bat. That was a good one."
Austin Hays of the Orioles broke a 4-4 tie with an RBI single in the fifth inning after the Red Sox blew an early four-run lead.
At Angel Stadium, Shohei Ohtani had a double in four at-bats in the Los Angeles Angels' 11-10, 10-inning loss to the Oakland Athletics.
