Masataka Yoshida went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer Tuesday to help the Boston Red Sox beat the Atlanta Braves 7-1 for their third straight win.
The Japanese outfielder improved his batting average to an American League-best .320 after launching the two-run shot to right with his third hit of the night in the bottom of the eighth.
The long bomb, off a 1-0 slider from right-hander Daysbel Hernandez, was Yoshida's 12th of the season. He also had two singles and reached base after being hit by a pitch.
Following a late start due to heavy rain, the Red Sox took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first and never trailed the major league-leading Braves the rest of the way.
Yoshida was nabbed at third base in the bottom of the third as the Braves turned the first triple play recorded in the majors this season.
Boston trails the Toronto Blue Jays by two games for the third and final AL Wild Card berth.
Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Angels also kept up their Wild Card pursuit after beating the Detroit Tigers 7-6 in 10 innings. MLB home run leader Ohtani went hitless in three at-bats but drew a pair of walks and scored two runs.