Red Sox hit four homers in 15-1 rout, DeGrom strikes out 14

The Boston Red Sox homered four times as they crushed the Kansas City Royals 15-1 in MLB action. Kike Hernandez, Danny Santana, All-Star Rafael Devers and J.D Martinez all hit home runs for the red-hot Red Sox on Thursday.

Nathan Eovaldi pitched seven scoreless innings to help the Red Sox earn the best record in baseball (51-31). "We're doing some great things offensively," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said.

DeGrom dominates

The New York Mets lost 4-3 to the Atlanta Braves but ace Jacob deGrom starred. DeGrom struck out 14 batters, including eight in a row, over seven innings. According to Stats Perform, it is the fourth time in his career that he has struck out at least eight successive batters in a game – twice as many as any other pitcher in MLB history.

Tyler Stephenson helped the Cincinnati Reds rally past the San Diego Padres 5-4. Stephenson drove in the winning run with a two-out single off Mark Melancon in the ninth inning. On June 17, he also had a two-out game-tying hit off San Diego's Melancon in the ninth. According to Stats Perform, he is the only rookie in the last 40 years to have two game-tying or go-ahead hits with two outs in the ninth off the same pitcher in the same year.

Ryu roughed up

Toronto Blue Jays ace Ryu Hyun-jin had a tough outing in the team's 7-2 defeat to the Seattle Mariners. Ryu gave up two home runs as he allowed seven hits, five runs and two walks over four innings. Royals pitcher Kris Bubic was tagged for four hits, five runs, three homers and three walks in four difficult innings.

Muncy slam

Max Muncy's grand slam lifted the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6-2 rain-shortened victory over the Washington Nationals and a sixth straight win.

Thursday's results

Dodgers at Nationals

The Dodgers (50-31) will face the Nationals (40-39) again on Friday. Julio Urias starts for the World Series champions as the Nationals counter with ace Max Scherzer.