Rafaela Walk-Off Homer Lifts Red Sox Over Rays for Eighth Straight Win

Ceddanne Rafaela belted a two-run homer over the Green Monster in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Boston Red Sox a 5–4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night at Fenway Park. The blast, Rafaela’s 13th of the season, came off Rays closer Pete Fairbanks after rookie Roman Anthony drew a one-out walk. The walk-off win extended Boston’s winning streak to a season-best eight games and spoiled a potential save for Fairbanks, who entered with a 4–3 lead. Rafaela has driven in runs in seven consecutive games. All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman went 1-for-4 with a double in his first game back from a nearly seven-week stint on the injured list. Boston starter Hunter Dobbins exited after two innings with right knee pain, forcing manager Alex Cora to use six relievers; Chris Murphy earned the win. Tampa Bay rookie Chandler Simpson stretched his hitting streak to 15 games, while Jonathan Aranda and Jake Mangum collected two hits apiece. The clubs continue their four-game series on Saturday, with Boston seeking to clinch the set ahead of next week’s All-Star break.