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Kansas City Royals' MJ Melendez Continues to Mash Red Sox With Pair of Home Runs

Originally posted on FanNation Fastball | By Sam Connon | Last updated 8/10/23

Kansas City Royals outfielder MJ Melendez continued to torment Boston Red Sox pitchers on Wednesday.

Melendez finished the night 2-for-4 with two solo home runs, blasting the first one 445 feet to right. His second went to left field, bouncing off the top of the Green Monster and getting called a home run after a video review.

In 10 career games versus the Red Sox, Melendez now has six home runs – more than he has against any other opponent. 20% of his career home runs have come against Boston, compared to just 4.5% of his career plate appearances.

Melendez's first games against the Red Sox came in August 2022. Over the span of the four-game series, Melendez went 6-for-14 with three home runs and 10 RBI.

The then-rookie catcher did not hit a home run when the Royals traveled to Boston in September, but he still finished the three-game set 4-for-12 with a double, triple and two RBI.

Melendez got his power back during Kansas City's latest trip to Fenway, hitting a home run Tuesday before crushing two Wednesday.

Both of his solo shots Wednesday were go-ahead homers, but the Royals wound up losing 4-3.

Melendez is a career .421 hitter with a 1.455 OPS against the Red Sox, both of which are his highest marks versus any team. He has reached base safely in all 10 of his career games against Boston.

For his career, Melendez is a .220 hitter with a .695 OPS. Taking out his games against the Red Sox, his batting average drops to .211 and his OPS drops to .660.

Melendez has one more chance to do damage in Boston this week, with the series finale scheduled for Thursday at 7:10 p.m. ET. The last-place Royals will host the Red Sox for a return series from Sept. 1 to 3.

This article first appeared on FanNation Fastball and was syndicated with permission.

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