Rafaela stays raking with HR off Cease in Toronto

TORONTO -- When analyzing the Red Sox offense, it’s easy to focus on Willson Contreras’ middle-of-the-order power, the production of reigning American League Player of the Week Wilyer Abreu and the recent addition of catcher Adley Rutschman.

But, tucked in the two-hole, Ceddanne Rafaela has been a consistent spark plug for the league’s best team over the past two months.

Rafaela continued to produce on Tuesday night when he swatted a solo home run, his 16th of the season, to dead center off Blue Jays ace Dylan Cease in the top of the fifth in a 5-3 loss at Rogers Centre in the second game of a four-game series.

Rafaela went into the at-bat against Cease wanting to make smart swing decisions and get the right-hander into the zone.

He did, and it worked.

“I was hunting a pitch,” Rafaela said of his home run swing. “I can do damage. I had been swinging at a lot of balls out of the zone. I just have to make better decisions. I’m happy to do it in that moment.”

On the mound, Patrick Sandoval had his longest start since returning from Tommy John surgery on July 9, tossing six innings and allowing four runs (two earned) on eight hits. He walked three and fanned four.

The loss extended the Red Sox's losing streak to four games and dropped their record to 64-55. They’ll play two more games in Toronto before wrapping up the seven-game road trip in Pittsburgh over the weekend.

Rafaela is hitting .295 with a .904 OPS in 10 August games, including five multi-hit performances. It follows a July in which he finished with a .303 average, an .844 OPS and his first All-Star selection.

On the season, he’s slashing .287/.324/.469 and is one home run shy of setting a career high (Tuesday’s homer tied his 2025 total).

In the midst of his best big league season, Rafaela says he credits his preparation and ability to adjust for his success.

“I think staying consistent with my work since the year started,” Rafaela said. “You learn when the years pass how to take at-bats and keep going. Maybe the body isn’t feeling 100 percent, but you learn how to get through those moments. Those little things have been helping me. I show up every day and try to help my team.”

With the lineup still missing Roman Anthony (partially torn tendon in right ring finger), Trevor Story (sports hernia) and Curtis Mead (left wrist fracture), Rafaela’s strong play has provided needed stability.

His interim manager has certainly taken notice of his performance throughout the season.

“He’s been swinging the bat great all year,” Chad Tracy said. “That’s been going on start to finish. He gets a hanging breaking ball and hits it out to the deepest part of the park. He’s been great.”