Rafaela hits 2 homers as streaking Red Sox take lead in 8th and edge Yamamoto and Dodgers 3-2
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Andruw Monasterio hit a ground-rule double to lead off the eighth and scored the go-ahead…
During a game on August 1, 2026, in Los Angeles, the Boston Red Sox managed to edge out the Los Angeles Dodgers with a final score of 3-2. The Red Sox had won four games in a row, including the first two matches of their series against the Dodgers. Since the All-Star break, the Red Sox have been on a roll, posting a 13-3 record. Over the start of July, they have been even more dominant, boasting a 22-4 record.
In the opening inning, Red Sox player Ceddanne Rafaela hit a solo home run, giving the Red Sox an early lead. The Dodgers' pitcher, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, faced some early trouble as Rafaela scored the go-ahead run during the eighth inning on Connor Wong's double-play grounder. Monasterio's double in the first inning ended Yamamoto's impressive streak, as he retired 13 consecutive hitters after Rafaela's second home run.
Monasterio's performance continued as he moved to third base on Jarren Duran's bunt single, eventually scoring on Wong's double-play grounder. Teoscar Hernández contributed three hits, including a two-run homer off Red Sox left-hander Payton Tolle in the second inning. Tolle allowed two runs on nine hits over six innings. Justin Slaten (2-4) pitched a scoreless seventh inning.
Red Sox left-hander Aroldis Chapman closed out the game with a perfect ninth inning, sealing the victory and extending his save streak to 27. Yamamoto, on the other hand, allowed three runs on four hits over eight innings. Notably, the Red Sox did not play All-Star first baseman Willson Contreras, who had recently undergone concussion testing after being hit by a pitch on the side of his helmet during the previous night's game.
Prior to the game, Dodgers left-hander Cole Irvin was designated for assignment, following his performance where he allowed six runs in Friday night's 9-4 loss to Boston. The Dodgers subsequently recalled right-handers Kyle Hurt and Wyatt Mills and placed pitcher Will Klein on the injured list due to right elbow discomfort. In their next matchup, the Red Sox will face Dodgers right-hander Emmet Sheehan (4-7, 4.95) on Sunday night, with Red Sox left-hander Jake Bennett (6-4, 2.74 ERA) set to take the mound.
Written by urgent.news from Associated Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
