Ceddanne Rafaela hit a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Boston Red Sox to a dramatic 11-9 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday afternoon at Fenway Park. The Red Sox overcame deficits on four occasions and denied the Angels a sweep in the series finale, closing out a wild game that featured numerous lead changes and momentum shifts.
The game was a rollercoaster from the start. Boston’s comeback began after falling behind 4-0 in the top of the first inning, when Red Sox starter Lucas Giolito struggled to settle in. He allowed four runs on a combination of two doubles, two singles and a home run before recording his first out. However, Boston responded immediately in the bottom half, with José Soriano surrendering four singles and two walks that allowed three runs to score. Although Soriano eventually struck out Rafaela to end the inning, the momentum had shifted.
David Hamilton gave Boston its first lead with a two-run double in the second, putting the home team up 5-4. But the Angels continued to answer, reclaiming the lead at 7-5. That back-and-forth pattern persisted throughout the afternoon. The Angels responded each time the Red Sox managed to tie or take the lead, scoring again to keep the pressure on.
Taylor Ward led the way for Los Angeles offensively, finishing with four RBIs. His production was key in helping the Angels build leads of 4-0, 7-5, 8-7 , and 9-8. However, the Angels’ bullpen could not hold any of those advantages.
Boston tied the game at 9-9 in the bottom of the eighth when Rafael Devers hit a chopper up the middle that slipped between Angels middle infielders Chris Taylor and Zach Neto. The defensive miscue allowed the tying run to score and set up the dramatic finish in the ninth.
After reliever Cooper Criswell (1-0) issued a walk to Mike Trout to open the top of the ninth, he retired the next three batters in order, keeping the score level and giving Boston a chance to complete the comeback. Abraham Toro singled with one out in the bottom half, bringing up Rafaela, who sent a 308-foot line drive down the right field line. The ball curled around the iconic Pesky Pole and into the stands, ending the game and sending the Fenway crowd into celebration.
The walk-off home run capped a turbulent game in which both starting pitchers struggled. Giolito and Soriano combined to allow 14 runs in just over five total innings pitched, underscoring the offensive firepower on both sides.
With the win, Boston avoided a sweep and improved its record in one-run games. The Angels, who were seeking their first three-game sweep of the Red Sox at Fenway since 2012, will have Thursday off before beginning a series against the Seattle Mariners on Friday, with Kyle Hendricks (2-6, 5.34 ERA) expected to take the mound. The Red Sox will also rest Thursday before opening a weekend series against the New York Yankees. Betting lines for both series openers will be released later this week.