Ramirez Hits 3 HR, Red Sox Beat Giants 11-7
BOSTON -- Hanley Ramirez socked a trio of two-run homers as the Boston Red Sox won an 11-7 shootout with the San Francisco Giants before an electric crowd Wednesday night at Fenway Park.
It was the first career three-homer game for Ramirez, who also made a series of outstanding defensive plays at first base. He had a chance to hit a major-league-record-tying fourth homer in the eighth inning, but he grounded out to the pitcher.
Ramirez tipped his cap to crowd as he received a standing ovation walking back to the dugout.
Drew Pomeranz didn't factor into the decision in his Red Sox debut, hanging zeros through three innings before imploding in a five-run Giants fourth.
The All-Star southpaw lasted just three-plus innings, giving up five runs on eight hits with two strikeouts.
Pomeranz was acquired in a trade with the San Diego Padres last Thursday.
Matt Barnes (3-3) earned the win with three scoreless innings of relief.
Sandy Leon hit a solo home run and an RBI triple as Boston (53-39) improved to a season-best 14 games over .500 with its sixth consecutive win at Fenway. The Red Sox are 11-3 in July after sweeping the two-game series.
Giants starter Matt Cain (1-6) struggled in his return from the disabled list, getting the hook after 2 1/3 innings. He was charged with five runs on six hits and a walk while striking out one.
Mac Williamson launched a three-run homer and Trevor Brown had a two-run blast for the Giants (57-38), who lost their fifth straight out of the All-Star break.
Brown finished with three hits, as did Boston's Mookie Betts. Boston out-hit San Francisco 16-15.
Ramirez clocked his first homer into the Red Sox's bullpen with no outs in the second, and Travis Shaw clubbed a home run to right two at-bats later.
Ramirez's second shot into the center field bleachers sparked a five-run third for Boston, which included Leon legging out his first career triple in 276 at-bats.
Pomeranz unraveled in the fourth as Williamson struck his bomb to right-center and Brown bounced a first-pitch homer over the Green Monster in left.
San Francisco's Ramiro Pena and Denard Span had RBI singles in the fifth to make it a one-run game.
Xander Bogaerts gave fans a scare after Pena's throw from third to first hit him in the helmet while running out his fourth-inning single. Bogaerts slammed his helmet down and was checked out by trainers, but he stayed in the game.
Tensions rose in the bottom of the fourth as Giants reliever Albert Suarez hit Ramirez with a pitch in his left elbow.
Ramirez stared down Suarez as he walked to first, and plate umpire Stu Scheurwater warned both dugouts.
NOTES: Boston placed RHP Koji Uehara (right pectoral strain) on the 15-day disabled list after he got hurt Tuesday. Uehara had an MRI exam before Wednesday's game. "To suggest any kind of timeframe right now, it's still too early for that," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. RHP Brad Ziegler will serve as the closer in Uehara's absence. Correspondingly, RHP Noe Ramirez was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket. ... San Francisco RF Hunter Pence (right hamstring strain) is on hold with his minor league rehab assignment. "Again, being cautious," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. ... Red Sox RHP Craig Kimbrel (left knee medial meniscus tear) threw from 90 feet on flat ground Wednesday. "He's feeling pretty darn good," Farrell said. ... Red Sox RHP Steven Wright (11-5, 2.78 ERA) counters Minnesota Twins RHP Tyler Duffy (5-6, 5.23 ERA) on Thursday. ... Giants LHP Madison Bumgarner (10-5, 2.12 ERA) opposes New York Yankees RHP Masahiro Tanaka (7-2, 3.15 ERA) on Friday.