Right fielder Wilyer Abreu leads all Red Sox hitters with 20 home runs and they haven’t come in garbage time.

Ten of his 20 blasts have either tied the game or given Boston the lead.

“I didn’t really know that was the case,” Abreu said through translator Carlos Villoria Benítez when informed of the stat. “I wasn’t really paying attention. But this game is for you to be clutch. … To have that many home runs to put your team in a position to win is great.”

Abreu had three hits in the Red Sox’ 5-4 loss to Minnesota on Monday. Among team members, he has the third highest slugging percentage (.493), behind only Alex Bregman (.554) and Romy Gonzalez (.531).

Abreu’s clutch hitting has been evident since the season began. On Opening Day in Texas, he tied the game 2-2 with a solo homer in the top of the fifth and then gave Boston a 5-2 lead in the ninth inning with a three-run homer.

His 20th homer came July 20 in Chicago. It was particularly significant because the Red Sox didn’t hold a single lead through the first 24 innings of this series before Abreu’s two-run homer in the seventh put them ahead 2-1.

“I know the game situation,” Abreu said. “I know what I need to do in order to help my team win. At the same time, if I need to move a runner (over), I’d like to move the runner. Or if there’s a man in scoring position, I try to bring that run in. But I’m not trying to hit a home run or anything like that. I’m just trying to help the team win. But obviously it’s been very good for me to be able to tie the game or put the team ahead that many times.”

Abreu actually tried to bunt Trevor Story over to second base before his go-ahead home run against the Cubs. He missed and then decided to swing away on the next pitch.

Red Sox hitting coach Pete Fatse suggested that Abreu is so successful in those spots because he doesn’t try to do too much.

“It comes down to just that,” Fatse said. “Super talented obviously. He has the ability to down shift and still hit the ball really hard. When he’s harnessing that within situations, it makes him very dangerous.”

Trevor Story said Abreu doesn’t lack confidence in himself.

“I think that’s the biggest thing,” Story said. “He has a plan and he’s making sure that he executes it. I think late in the game, obviously confidence is a big thing. I think that’s why he shines in those moments.”

Abreu is on a 30-homer pace here in his second big league season. He just turned 26. What’s his home run ceiling?

“He’s got legitimate 30-35-plus home run power,” Story said. “I think that’s kind of the minimum. I think he’s kind of a 30 guy every year it seems like to me, which is crazy to say but he’s that type of bat. He has a simple approach. Not a lot going on and his hands are lightning. So he’s going to miss balls that (still) go out.”

Fatse said Abreu can consistently be in the upper-20s and close to 30 home runs each season while also providing average and on-base percentage.

“I think he’s a guy that can hit for average,” Fatse said. “With the additional hits comes the additional on-base, too. I think when he’s at his best, he’s taking his walks. He has all the facets to be an elite offensive producer in this league and obviously that’s what we’re trying to tap into.”

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