Ceddanne Rafaela homers drives in 7 runs to lead Boston s 17-0 rout of the Cubs
Ceddanne Rafaela homered and drove in seven runs and Tyler O Neill also went deep as the Boston Red Sox routed the Chicago Cubs 17-0 on Saturday
Stats - Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan take IPL century count past 100
BOSTON -- — Ceddanne Rafaela homered and drove in seven runs, and Tyler O’Neill also went deep as the Boston Red Sox routed the Chicago Cubs 17-0 on Saturday.
The 23-year-old Rafaela was asked if he could recall a time when he amassed seven RBI in a game.
“That I remember? No,” Rafaela said.
The Red Sox established single-game season bests at home with runs and 21 hits. Boston, which lost eight of its first 11 games at Fenway Park this season, snapped a two-game skid and won for the fifth time in eight games overall.
Rafaela, playing shortstop and batting ninth, went 4 for 4. Masataka Yoshida made his first start since April 20 and went 4 for 5. Bobby Dalbec, who entered the game batting .093, had two hits, three RBI — including a run-scoring hit in a six-run fifth inning — and scored twice.
“It was a sense of relief that I was able to deliver good results,” Yoshida said.
Six Red Sox players finished with at least two hits – a good development for a lineup that has lost a few key contributors since opening day.
“We always want the guys to stay healthy throughout the year. It’s sad that we’re missing some players, but whoever is in the lineup and on the roster, we’ve got to do our best,” Yoshida said.
O’Neill jumped on a 3-0 pitch and sent it over the Green Monster for his ninth homer and a 2-0 lead in the first inning. A sacrifice fly by Rafaela made it 3-0 in the fourth. The Red Sox broke loose for six runs in the fifth.
“I loved it. That was professional right there,” Rafaela said about his sac fly. “It’s the little things that’s going to allow us to play in October.”
Rafaela hit a basesloaded double that made it 8-0. Wilyer Abreu became the first Red Sox rookie to record RBI in eight consecutive games when he singled, scoring O’Neill, who helped get the big inning going with a one-out double.
“It’s what we work for and what I work for … to help the team,” Rafaela said. “It’s awesome to have these types of games and awesome to do it in front of these fans.”
Red Sox starter Josh Winckowski worked three scoreless innings before turning things over to the bullpen. Boston starting pitchers came in with an American League-best 2.15 ERA while holding opposing hitters to a league-low .214 batting average.
Justin Slaton (2-0) pitched two scoreless innings, striking out two. He was one of four relievers used after Winckowski.
The Cubs managed just four hits and needed two position players — Matt Mervis, Patrick Wisdom — to record three outs in the eighth inning. Chicago starter Ben Brown (0-1) allowed three runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings, striking out four.
“I was in a good spot to go out there and compete,” Brown said. “Obviously it’s a tough game, but we have a really tough team. We showed that today. ”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Cubs: LHP Justin Steele (left hamstring strain) threw 47 pitches in an extended spring game in Arizona on Friday. The next step is a rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday. Steele has been on the IL since exiting his opening day start on March 28.
Red Sox: RHP Nick Pivetta (IL since April 6 with a flexor strain of his pitching elbow) is on track to make a rehab start Thursday. Triple-A Worcester is scheduled to play at home that same day. Pivetta threw a 50-pitch live LP Saturday. … Devers made his first start at third base since April 16. … The minor-league rehab assignment for 2B Vaughn Grissom (left hamstring strain) could be nearing the end. Cora said the plan was for Grissom to play nine innings Saturday and Sunday for Worcester. … The Red Sox acquired 1B/OF Garrett Cooper from the Cubs for cash considerations. Cooper was designated for assignment on Tuesday. Boston transferred 1B Triston Casas to the 60-day IL to make room for Cooper on the 40-man roster.
UP NEXT
Red Sox RHP Tanner Houck (3-2, 1.65) will start Sunday night’s series finale against Cubs LHP Jordan Wicks 1-2, 4.70).
------
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Two-time defending champion Steve Stricker birdied the final two holes for a 7-under 65 and a 1-shot lead over Ernie Els on Friday after the second round of the Regions Tradition
A demonstration of no more than 10 people was held outside the Marlins loanDepot Park on Friday night with fan discontent brewing in the wake of the Luis Arraez trade to the Padres last week
Chris Gotterup birdied the final four holes for a 7-under 64 and a 1-stroke lead over Robert MacIntyre on Friday after the second round of the PGA Tour s inaugural Myrtle Beach Classic
New Orioles owner David Rubenstein turned out to be quite a rally starter at Camden Yards as he filled in Friday night in the Splash Zone in left field
The Chicago Cubs placed shortstop Dansby Swanson on the 10-day injured list prior to Friday night s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates and activated outfielder Seiya Suzuki off the same list
Karl-Anthony Towns Wasn't Having It When Rudy Gobert Joked That He Could
Miss Game 3 Against Nuggets? Rudy Gobert missed Game 2 between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Denver
Nuggets, due to the birth of his first child.
Watch: Karl-Anthony Towns lights it up in the third? Karl-Anthony Towns has been known to disappear in playoff games. He was
very visible in the third quarter of Game 1.