Red Sox Rally Past Dodgers With Rafaela's Two Home Runs

WHO:

MLB.com - Willson Contreras officially cleared concussion protocol and returned to Boston's starting lineup for the series finale against the Dodgers.

MLB.com - Interim manager Chad Tracy confirmed that Contreras passed all remaining checks and is ready for full action.

MLB.com - Ceddanne Rafaela stated, "I think right now I do feel good at the plate. I'm making the right decisions on the right pitches, and I think that's what I need to keep doing to have these results."

MLB.com - Interim manager Chad Tracy commented, "Two big swings from him, obviously, to keep the game where it's at."

MLB.com - Willson Contreras was hit in the side of the helmet by a pitch from right-hander Will Klein.

MLB.com - Interim manager Chad Tracy confirmed that Contreras was in good spirits, laughing and joking with teammates while watching them play a video game.

MLB.com - Ceddanne Rafaela stated, "I feel happy to help the team. [It's] good to win the series and then go for the sweep tomorrow."

MLB.com - Interim manager Chad Tracy commented on Rafaela's performance, saying, "He's been otherworldly right now. ... He's been, I think it's safe to say, probably the most key contributor to some of these wins."

MLB.com - Payton Tolle mentioned, "[I was] just trying to slow the moment down."

MLB.com - Ceddanne Rafaela, interim manager Chad Tracy, rookie left-hander Payton Tolle, Willson Contreras, Teoscar Hernández, Shohei Ohtani, Andy Pages, Andruw Monasterio, Jarren Duran, Connor Wong, Nick Sogard, Anthony Seigler.

WHAT:

MLB.com - Contreras entered the game batting .288 with a .943 OPS, 23 home runs, and 67 RBIs.

MLB.com - Ceddanne Rafaela's two home runs were the only hits for the Red Sox off Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto until the eighth inning.

MLB.com - The Red Sox scored their go-ahead run in the eighth inning after Andruw Monasterio led off with a ground-rule double, followed by a soft bunt single from Jarren Duran.

MLB.com - Contreras was hit by a 95.4 mph fastball, marking the 19th time he was hit by a pitch this season.

MLB.com - Jarren Duran followed Andruw Monasterio's ground-rule double with a soft bunt single, putting runners on the corners.

MLB.com - The Red Sox achieved their eighth consecutive series win against the Dodgers.

MLB.com - Ceddanne Rafaela's two home runs were the only hits for the Red Sox off Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto until the eighth inning.

MLB.com - Willson Contreras was hit by a pitch for the 19th time this season.

MLB.com - The Red Sox secured a 3-2 victory over the Dodgers, marking their eighth consecutive series win.

MLB.com - Ceddanne Rafaela hit two home runs during the game, contributing all of Boston's early offense.

MLB.com - Willson Contreras left the game after being hit in the helmet by a pitch and entered concussion protocol.

Boston.com - Ceddanne Rafaela hit a two-run, go-ahead home run in the seventh inning of a different game against the Dodgers, resulting in a 9-4 victory.

WHERE:

MLB.com - The game took place at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

WHEN:

MLB.com - The Red Sox completed a three-game sweep of the Dodgers, marking their first sweep of the Dodgers since June 18-20, 2010.

Covers.com - The Red Sox vs. Dodgers game is scheduled for August 2, 2026, with a first pitch at 7:20 p.m. ET.

MLB.com - Rafaela's performance marked his first multihomer game since May 31, 2024.

MLB.com - The Red Sox played the Dodgers in a series opener on a Friday.

WHY:

MLB.com - Interim manager Chad Tracy noted the importance of stacking series wins, stating, "You want to do that all the time."

MLB.com - The Red Sox capitalized on key moments in the game to secure the win, despite only having four hits.

HOW:

MLB.com - Contreras was back at first base for the game, as he prefers to play the field rather than serve as the designated hitter.

MLB.com - Tolle intentionally walked Shohei Ohtani to load the bases before forcing an inning-ending groundout from Andy Pages.

MLB.com - Payton Tolle pitched six innings, allowing nine hits and two runs while striking out seven, demonstrating composure against the Dodgers' lineup.

MLB.com - Tolle intentionally walked Shohei Ohtani to load the bases before forcing an inning-ending groundout from Andy Pages.

MLB.com - Payton Tolle pitched six innings, allowing nine hits and two runs while striking out seven, demonstrating composure against the Dodgers' lineup.

MLB.com - Ceddanne Rafaela's two home runs were crucial in keeping the game competitive and ultimately leading to the victory.

Willson Contreras has officially cleared concussion protocol and is back in Boston's starting lineup for the series finale against the Dodgers, as confirmed by interim manager Chad Tracy. Entering the game, Contreras had an impressive batting average of .288, with a .943 OPS, 23 home runs, and 67 RBIs. The Red Sox completed a three-game sweep of the Dodgers, marking their first sweep of this team since June 18-20, 2010, with Contreras playing first base, which is his preferred position over serving as the designated hitter.