Mookie Betts becomes the second Red Sox player to join 30-30 club

BOSTON (AP) — Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts stole his 30th base of the season in the second inning against Baltimore on Wednesday, making him the second player in franchise history with 30 homers and 30 steals in the same season.

Betts singled in the Boston’s five-run first inning and nearly got picked off, but was erased on a fielder’s choice. He walked to lead off the second and stole second on the third pitch, then stood and acknowledged a cheer from the sparse crowd attending the matinee makeup of Tuesday night’s rainout.

Betts has 32 homers and entered the day leading the major leagues with a .343 batting average.

Mookie Betts is vying to become the 3rd player in major league history to go 30-30 and hit at least .340.

Larry Walker did it in 1997 and Ellis Burks in 1996

Betts would be just the 7th to bat .330 in a 30-30 year: Braun, Guerrero, Walker, Burks, Mays, Ken Williams (1922)

— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) September 26, 2018

Jacoby Ellsbury, who had 32 homers and 39 steals in 2011, is the only other member of Boston’s 30-30 club.