KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Rafael Devers walked onto the field at 10:17 a.m. on Sunday, stopping at the corner of the dugout to sign the cap of a Red Sox fan who had somehow made her way into Kauffman Stadium. He then walked out to shallow left field, took off his slides, and plopped down on the grass to enjoy the sunshine and do some stretching. That was as far as it went emulating Triston Casas . Another day came off the calendar without Devers budging on the team’s request to learn first base. For now, it doesn’t seem to be in consideration. Once the game started, Devers reached base three more times and belted a two-run homer to lead the Red Sox to a 3-1 victory against the Kansas City Royals. The designated hitter reached eight times in nine plate appearances the last two days, scoring twice and driving in five runs. His 440-foot two-run homer to center field in the sixth inning was the difference in the game Sunday. It was the longest home run hit by a Sox player this season. Devers is hitting .280 with an .888 OPS and 31 RBIs. He has recorded multiple hits in eight of his last 14 games, going 24 of 56 with nine extra-base hits and 16 RBIs. “He’s swinging the bat well. He’s in a good spot,” manager Alex Cora said. “He’s seeing the ball well and executing his plan. That ball was demolished. “You look at the numbers right now and he’s probably the best DH in the American League right now.” Outside of Shohei Ohtani , Devers is right there with Kyle Schwarber and Marcell Ozuna as the elite DHs in the game. “I’m glad he’s on my team and I don’t have to pitch to him any more,” said Lucas Giolito , who pitched 6⅔ innings for the win. “He’s incredible hitter. We’re very lucky to have him.” For the third consecutive day, Devers refused to speak to reporters.
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