Ceddanne Rafaela redeems himself after costly mistake vs. Orioles

Boston Red Sox outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela (3) reacts to hitting a two-run home run during the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. James A. Pittman-Imagn Images

Ceddanne Rafaela redeems himself after costly mistake against Orioles

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Aug 27, 2025 10:58 PM ET

If not for a clutch play, center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela could've been the reason the Boston Red Sox lost a crucial road game against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Rafaela and left fielder Jarren Duran appeared to have a miscommunication on a fly ball.

The ball subsequently dropped between the outfielders, allowing Orioles right fielder Dylan Beavers to score, giving Baltimore a 2-1 lead. Orioles left fielder Dylan Carlson, meanwhile, reached second base.

Mind the gap. pic.twitter.com/8iu7v153Oo
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) August 28, 2025

Rafaela would atone for the mistake in the top of the ninth inning. He crushed an 87 mph changeup from Orioles relief pitcher Keegan Akin into left-center field for a 392-foot home run, giving Boston a 3-2 lead. (Duran also scored on the play.)

Made for the big moments. pic.twitter.com/p1VR28fqbt
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 28, 2025

Rafaela's dinger sealed the win for the Red Sox. He has now hit a go-ahead home run in the ninth inning twice this season (via NESN's broadcast). His clutch play stems from confidence.

In a postgame interview with NESN, the outfielder said he called his homer in the top of the ninth inning. "I knew I was going deep," Rafaela said.

The win helps the Red Sox continue to build momentum as they push for the playoffs. Boston (74-60) has now captured six of its past 10 games and would have the first American League wild-card spot ahead of the New York Yankees (73-60) and the Seattle Mariners (72-62) if the postseason started Wednesday night.

It also makes fans forget about Rafaela's costly error earlier in the game.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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