The Red Sox are red hot and Hanley Ramirez was on fire Wednesday against the Giants as he enjoyed his first career three-home run game. 

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Ramirez spearheaded a Boston offense that roughed up San Francisco starter Matt Cain for five runs over 2 1/3 innings in an eventual 11-7 Boston win. He also reached base after being hit by a pitch in the fourth. Ramirez glared at Giants reliever Albert Suarez as the umpire quickly warned both benches. 

Despite having an eight-run lead entering the fourth inning, Drew Pomeranz couldn’t earn a win in his first Red Sox start since being traded from San Diego. The left-hander allowed five runs in the third before getting pulled as the Giants cut the lead to a run. 

Ramirez’s third homer of the game, a two-run shot to left field, gave the Sox a 10-7 lead and Sandy Leon added an insurance home run to help give Boston its eighth win in nine games. The Sox took over first place in the AL East, a half-game ahead of the Orioles, who fell to the Yankees 5-0. 

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Mac Williamson and Trevor Brown went deep for the Giants, who still hold a comfortable 4 1/2-game lead over the Dodgers in the NL West despite losing their fifth straight. 

Player of the Day

Tyler Naquin, OF, Indians: In Cleveland’s 11-4 beatdown of Kansas City, Naquin (3 for 4, two home runs) became the first Indians rookie to have six RBIs in a game since Turner Ward on Sept. 15, 1990 — also against the Royals. 

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Highlight

Trea Turner steals home after Danny Espinosa gets caught in a rundown, extending the Nationals’ lead against the Dodgers. 

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Three things to know

— Nationals slugger Bryce Harper launched a 451-foot moon shot against the Dodgers that landed well into the third deck at Nationals Park. It was his longest homer this season and his second-longest in the MLB.com Statcast era. 

— Mariners outfielder Leonys Martin hit a walkoff homer to beat the White Sox 6-5. It was the sixth walkoff win for the M’s this season, tied for most in franchise history (1986). 

— The Cubs added a bullpen piece, acquiring left-handed pitcher Mike Montgomery from the Mariners for prospects Dan Vogelbach and Paul Blackburn.

What’s next

Dodgers (53-43) at Nationals (57-38), 12:05 p.m. ET: Looking to become the first pitcher to start the season 14-0 since Roger Clemens in 1986, Nats ace Stephen Strasburg (13-0, 2.51 ERA) toes the rubber against Dodgers rookie spot starter Julio Urias (1-2, 4.95 ERA), who gave up two runs over five innings against Washington on June 22. 

Orioles (53-40) at Yankees (48-46), 1:05 p.m. ET: Looking for a four-game sweep, the Yankees look to make more progress in the AL wild-card race on the arm of CC Sabathia (5-7, 3.94 ERA). The southpaw has struggled of late with a 7.94 ERA since June 22. His pitching opponent, Chris Tillman (13-2, 3.29 ERA), is undefeated (6-0) against AL East opponents this season.