dpCeddanne Rafaela hit two home runs in a 3-2 Red Sox victory on Saturday after he also went deep Friday. The three home runs came in a span of four at-bats over the two games.
“He’s otherworldly right now,” Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said. “He’s been good all year long and obviously the home runs are showing up on this road trip, and so many of them massive home runs. I think it’s safe to say he’s been a key contributor to most of these wins.”
After his big night, Rafaela was asked about the Dodgers landing Skubal.
“I think they have everybody, probably,” Rafaela said. “I think good for them, they got a good pitcher. But I think we’re not going to pay too much attention to that and are looking forward to keep winning ballgames like we’re doing over here.”
Jake Bennett gets the ball as the Sox go for a series sweep. Here’s a preview.
RED SOX (59-51): Sogard 2B, Rafaela CF, Abreu RF, Contreras 1B, Yoshida DH, Durbin 3B, Monasterio SS, Duran LF, Narváez C
Pitching: LHP Jake Bennett (6-4, 2.74 ERA)
DODGERS (69-42): Ohtani DH, Pages CF, Edman 2B, Freeman 1B, Betts SS, Tucker RF, Hernández LF, Muncy 3B, Rushing C
Pitching: RHP Emmet Sheehan (4-7, 4.95 ERA)
Time: 7:20 p.m.
TV, radio: NBC, Peacock, WEEI-FM 93.7
Red Sox vs. Sheehan: Wilyer Abreu 0-2, Willson Contreras 1-2, Jarren Duran 1-2, Caleb Durbin 0-1, Ceddanne Rafaela 0-2, Connor Wong 1-2, Masataka Yoshida 0-2
Dodgers vs. Bennett: Has not faced any LA Dodgers batters
Stat of the day: Bennett, making his 12th career start, had a five-start winning streak snapped in his last outing.
Notes: Sheehan has been on something of a revival of late by allowing two earned runs or fewer in four of his past five starts. … In his lone career start against the Red Sox, Sheehan earned the 5-2 win on July 25, 2015. … Los Angeles shuffled its bullpen, recalling righthanders Kyle Hurt and Wyatt Mills from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Left-hander Cole Irvin was designated for assignment and Will Klein (elbow) was placed on the injured list. … The Sox were without first baseman Willson Contreras on Saturday after he was hit in the helmet by a 95.4-m.p.h. fastball from Klein on Friday. His day off was a precaution.
Cam Kerry can be reached at [email protected].
