Red Sox Wrap: Ceddanne Rafaela’s Clutch Hit Lifts Boston Over White Sox

The Red Sox added a loss to the Chicago White Sox’s gigantic pile of them Friday night with Boston drumming up some late-inning offense en route to a 3-1 win at Fenway Park.

The Red Sox snapped their five-game losing streak and improved to 71-70 while Chicago’s eye-sore of a record dropped to a horrific 32-110.

Check out the full box score here.

ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
The Red Sox had to get their offense going against the lowly White Sox, right?

Well, it took a while for that to happen.

After scoring just eight runs in the last five games, the Red Sox struggled at the plate against White Sox righty Davis Martin. Boston had as many hits (three) as hit batsmen through the first six innings and were outhit in the game by the White Sox, 6-5.

But one swing can make all the difference and Ceddanne Rafaela delivered in the bottom of the seventh to break a 1-1 deadlock. Alex Cora revealed prior to the game that Rafaela will move from shortstop to second base with Trevor Story’s return imminent. Rafaela hasn’t started a game at second all season, but it’s clear the Red Sox will play him practically anywhere to keep his bat in the lineup.

The soon-to-be 24-year-old showed why against the White Sox because if it wasn’t for his clutch hit and Chicago found a way to score, it could have been the absolute low point of the season for Boston.

STARS OF THE GAME
— Rafaela belted a two-run home run into the Green Monster seats off a hanging breaking ball from White Sox reliever Matt Foster to give the Red Sox a 3-1 lead. It was Rafaela’s 15th homer of the season.

— Triston Casas contributed to the Red Sox offense by leveling the score with an RBI single to left field to plate Wilyer Abreu in the bottom of the fourth. Casas finished 1-for-4.

— Nick Pivetta took a no-decision but turned in a strong performance on the mound. He tossed six innings and allowed just one run on five hits while giving up three walks and striking out six.

UP NEXT
The Red Sox and White Sox take the field at Fenway Park again on Saturday with Cooper Criswell and Garrett Crochet opposing one another on the mound. First pitch from Fenway Park is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET and the game can be seen on FOX.

The Red Sox return to NESN airwaves for Sunday’s series finale. That contest is a 1:35 p.m. start.