Red Sox

Ceddanne Rafaela said his home run in Red Sox’ win over Yankees was moment he ‘always dreamed about’

"Having those types of at-bats, those are the type of games I really wanted to be in."

By Conor Roche

July 6, 2024

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Ceddanne Rafaela’s first game at Yankee Stadium was a memorable one.

The Red Sox rookie played a major role in their comeback 5-3 win over the Yankees on Friday. In the first at-bat of the 10th inning, Rafaela took Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle’s 95 mph fastball 412 feet to straightaway center for a two-run home run.

As he rounded the bases, Rafaela expressed a bit more joy compared to the nine other home runs he’s hit this season. He looked toward the Red Sox dugout and lifted his arms before hitting his bicep as he realized he had a dream come true.

“I always was a Red Sox fan and these types of games are the games I always dreamed about,” Rafaela told reporters following the Red Sox’ win. “Having those types of at-bats, those are the type of games I really wanted to be in.”

Boston was able to get a couple more runners on board in the 10th, but it didn’t bring any of them home. It didn’t matter, as Kenley Jansen prevented the Yankees from scoring in the bottom of the 10th

In hindsight, all Rafaela would’ve needed to do was get a base hit in order to help give the Red Sox the lead. But he was thrilled that he provided a home run that wound up being the difference maker in the win.

“When I was rounding the bases, I was just thinking that I did the job I wanted to do and more,” Rafaela explained. “I was happy.”

Even though Rafaela is hitting out of the nine-spot, he’s been one of the Red Sox’ top hitters as of late. He’s hitting .311 with a .805 OPS plus three homers and 16 RBIs since the start of June. His home run gave him 49 RBIs on the season, which is the most in the majors among all rookie hitters.

Alex Cora has obviously noticed the improved play from Rafaela, saying he’s been, “huge for us.”

“He’s been doing a good job; hunting pitches in the zone, hitting the ball hard, and we just wanted him to do the job in that situation,” the Red Sox manager told reporters. “Just hit the ball to right-center or hit a ground ball to second. He stayed on a pitch and crushed it.”

Rafaela’s two-run homer came on the heels of Masataka Yoshida’s home run in the ninth. The Red Sox’ designated hitter took Yankees closer Clay Holmes’s 96 mph sinker deep into the right field bleachers on a 3-2 count with two outs for just his third homer of the year to tie the game.

Friday’s win followed the Red Sox’ extra-innings win over the Marlins on Thursday, where Boston scored multiple runs in the 11th and 12th innings in order to win. As budding ace Tanner Houck only pitched 3 1/3 innings in Friday’s game, Cora liked the continued fight he’s seen from his team as of late.

“You gotta give them credit,” Cora said. “They don’t stop playing. They enjoy themselves, too. I talked to [Marlins manager] Skip Schumaker and he’s like, ‘Man, you guys play hard.’ That’s a testament to who they are, and what they’re all about. We’re talented, too.”

The Red Sox improved to 48-39 with Friday’s victory, moving to just 4.5 games back of the Yankees for the top wild-card spot. It marked their fifth win in a row as well, improving to 15-5 since June 12.

Friday’s comeback was arguably the best win of the season for the Red Sox, and they seemed to feel that way, too.

“Fun night,” Rafaela said. “Fun for all of us and fun for Masa.”