Final: Red Sox 5, Rays 4 - Ceddanne Rafaela hits walk off home run as Red Sox extend winning streak to 8 games

The Red Sox extend their winning streak to eight games with a Ceddanne Rafaela come-from-behind walk-off home run.

In this game, Boston had both Alex Bregman and Hunter Dobbins make their returns after being on the IL. However, Dobbins' start on the mound was short lived.

The Rays scored their first run of the game in the 1st inning, and midway into the second inning Dobbins injured himself after making an out at first base. Dobbins attempted to come back into the game, but he was taken out of the game immediately after throwing a warmup pitch. Jorge Alcala came out of the bullpen and got the Red Sox through the inning.

In the bottom half of the 2nd, the Red Sox tied it with an RBI single from Rafaela. This tie was short lived though.

In the third inning, defensive mistakes and errant pitched gave the Rays a 4-1 lead. With two runners on base, Abraham Toro recorded an error at first giving the Rays their second run. Brennan Bernardino came in following the error, and he extended Tampa Bay's lead allowing two runners to score on wild pitches.

In the 4th inning, the Red Sox were able to cut  Tampa Bay's lead to one run. With two runners on base, Marcelo Mayer recorded an RBI double off the Green Monster, and Toro drove in the second run on a fielder's choice play. 

Despite his shaky third inning, Bernardino redeemed himself pitching two clean innings in the 4th and 5th innings. 

The second half of the game turned into a bullpen battle as neither team scored between the 5th and 8th innings. Boston saw great outings from Greg Weissert, Justin Wilson, and Jordan Hicks in these innings. And in the 9th inning, Chris Murphy shut down the Rays with a 1-2-3 innings keeping Tampa Bay's lead to only one run.

In the bottom of the 9th, the Red Sox were able to get it done. After an out from Mayer, Roman Anthony pinched hit for Toro and got on base with a walk against Rays closer Pete Fairbanks. And in the next at-bat, Rafaela delivered a two-run blast over the monster giving the Red Sox the come back victory.

Rafaela's home run is one of the biggest moments of the season for the Red Sox. Not only do they extend their winning streak to eight games, but they also jump in front of the Rays in the standings. All of a sudden this team is finally able to execute in these one run scenarios and come away with huge wins.

A huge credit to this win should also come from Boston's bullpen who helped control Tampa Bay's lineup after Dobbins' injury. They limited Tampa Bay to only three runs in 7.1 innings with each arm being extremely efficient on the mound. 

Overall, one of the best wins of the season for the Red Sox.

Boston will continue their series tomorrow at 4:10 p.m.

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WHO: Red Sox (50-45)) vs Rays (50-44)
WHEN: 7:10 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston
SERIES TO DATE: (1-0), (5-2)
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Hunter Dobbins (4-1, 4.10 ERA) vs. RHP Drew Rasmussen (7-5, 2.82 ERA)
TV/RADIO: NESN, MLB Network, WEEI-FM 93.7

LIVE BOX

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Jarren Duran (L) LF
Alex Bregman (R) 3B
Masataka Yoshida (L) DH
Carlos Narváez (R) C
Wilyer Abreu (L) RF
Trevor Story (R) SS
Marcelo Mayer (L) 2B
Abraham Toro (S) 1B
Ceddanne Rafaela (R) CF

SP Hunter Dobbins

RAYS

Yandy Díaz (R) DH
Jonathan Aranda (L) 1B
Jake Mangum (S) LF
Junior Caminero (R) 3B
Josh Lowe (L) RF
Taylor Walls (S) SS
José Caballero (R) 2B
Chandler Simpson (L) CF
Danny Jansen (R) C

SP Drew Rasmussen

WHAT'S UP

The Red Sox look to continue their winning streak as Alex Bregman and Hunter Dobbins return to the lineup.

 The Red Sox reinstated All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman from the injured after he missed 43 games with a right quad strain. Boston optioned David Hamilton to Worcester to make space for Bregman.

Garrett Crochet will not pitch in this year's all-star game. Crochet is interested in pitching for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic though.

Roman Anthony will begin the game on the bench. Marcelo Mayer will start at second base for the fourth time.