Trevor Story of the Boston Red Sox hits a two-run home run during the third inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners on May 19, 2022 at Fenway Park in Boston, Mass. Getty Images

It was just a matter of time.

Trevor Story had his breakout game with the Boston Red Sox on Thursday, going 4-for-4 with three home runs, seven RBI, five runs scored and a stolen base in a 12-6 win over the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park. Per ESPN:

He became the first second baseman in MLB history to steal a base in a three-homer game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. He also joined Jim Tabor as the only Red Sox players with 5 runs, 3 dingers and 7 RBIs since RBI became an official stat in 1920.

“Just a special night and one I’ll never forget,” said Story, who also homered three times in a game for the Colorado Rockies against the San Francisco Giants in September of 2018.

Story heard the boo birds earlier this month from the Fenway faithful with his average sitting below the Mendoza Line. But Story is hitting .333 over the last seven days with an .875 slugging percentage. And Story has an idea why he’s getting hot.

“Just very simple stuff, just trying to be more balanced and be on time,” Story said. “I think that’s about as simple as I can put it. I’m not trying to do too much and I think that works really well for me.”

“The at-bats are getting better. He keeps working hard at it and he’s a good athlete. He will hit. We know that,” manager Alex Cora said. “He’s feeling comfortable in the environment and it’s just a matter of time. (Thursday) was outstanding.”

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Story had been scuffling out of the gate after signing a six-year, $140 million contract with the Red Sox. Before Thursday, he was hitting .205 with 16 RBIs. By the end of the night, Story had raised his average to .230 and more than doubled his season home run total. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports “In one night, he has added 107 points to his season OPS.”

Despite Story’s 19th career multi-homer game, the Red Sox (16-22) remain in fourth place in the American League East, 12 games behind the first-place Yankees (28-10). Before signing with Boston, last winter’s Hot Stove linked Story to New York. But the Yankees went in a different direction, trading for Isiah Kiner-Falefa to fill the club’s hole at shortstop.

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(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.

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