I’d prepared for a Sox loss. I really had. I’d started this article with, “What do the 2025 Miami Marlins and the 2025 Red Sox have in common? They both just got swept at home!” But we did not get swept at home this series. Ceddanne Rafaela made sure of that. It was a very seesaw game, with the Angels and the Red Sox giving the lead back and forth to each other, but the Red Sox, at last, came out victorious. No sweep this time! Hooray!
Three Studs:
Ceddanne Rafaela: A Pesky Pole homer sealed the game’s fate and gave the Sox the victory. Even Ceddane thought that was foul at first. A very silly ending to a very wonky game, but a win is a win!
Carlos Narvaez: Give this man the Red Sox captaincy already. He got 2 runs on 2 hits and a walk. Also he just brings good vibes every game. He did strike out when he could’ve given us the winning run in the bottom of the 8th, which was a dud moment, but he had a very good performance in the game overall.
Luis Guerrero, Justin Wilson, Garrett Whitlock, and Cooper Criswell: Stepped up after Giolito got pulled and they all pitched scoreless frames. Criswell’s efforts are to be especially commended since he kept the game close for the Sox in the eighth and ninth and giving Chapman a needed break.
Three Duds:
Lucas Giolito: Seven earned runs in 1.2 innings is very bad. So is 8 hits and only one strikeout in that span. We got Egg-Laying Giolito today.
Brennan Bernardino and Greg Weissert: They both gave up a run in relief when the Sox were tied.
Rob Refsnyder: He pinch-hit for Wilyer and went 0-2. Other than Rob, I really can’t fault the offense today. Everyone else either brought in a run or had a hit. That’s what helps you get 9+ runs in a baseball game!
Play of the Game: Ceddanne Rafaela’s Walk-off Home Run
Because what the heck else would it be?
