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Betts hits 17th HR, Red Sox beat Braves after cutting Hanley

BOSTON (AP) -- A surprising roster shakeup didn't disrupt the power surge that has the Boston Red Sox back in first place.

Hours after Boston designated Hanley Ramirez for assignment, Mookie Betts and three teammates homered as the Red Sox beat the Atlanta Braves 6-2 on Friday night.

''Offensively, don't get me wrong - we've done an outstanding job - but we feel that we're going to be better,'' manager Alex Cora said.

Betts hit his major-league leading 17th home run and J.D. Martinez slugged his 16th for the Red Sox, who had just seven hits in the game.