Ceddanne Rafaela hit his first career grand slam to power the Boston Red Sox past the Oakland Athletics 4-2 at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento.
Rafaela connected on a 2-0 slider from reliever José Suarez in the top of the sixth inning with two outs and the bases loaded. The ball cleared the fence after Athletics left fielder Colby Thomas tipped it over, turning a 1-0 deficit into a 4-1 lead.
The 11th homer of Rafaela’s season carried an exit velocity of 98 mph and a 40-degree launch angle. Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy noted the ball carried well in the park, while left-hander Payton Tolle, who earned the win, called the hit the difference-maker.
Rafaela entered the game batting .355 with the bases loaded for his career. The slam came after Boston had been held without a hit through five innings. Connor Wong’s double and walks by Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu set the stage.
The victory extended the Red Sox winning streak to 23-4 since June 25. Rafaela was shifted to fifth in the lineup following the acquisition of Curtis Mead, who exited with a left wrist contusion.
