Rafaela's pinch 2-run homer leads Red Sox over Phillies 3-1 as Schwarber streak stopped
BOSTON (AP) — Pinch-hitter Ceddanne Rafaela had a tiebreaking, two-run homer over the Green Monster and the Boston Red Sox beat Philadelphia 3-1 on Wednesday night while ending the home run streak of the Phillies' Kyle Schwarber at five games. Rafaela hit a fastball from Orion Kerkering, who replaced Tanner Banks (0-3) with two outs in the sixth. Making his second start after missing a couple of weeks due to right hamstring tightness that forced him from a start on April 20, Sonny Gray (4-1) gave up one run and two hits over six innings with six strikeouts and one walk.
Aroldis Chapman struck out the side in the ninth, working around a pair of walks, and finished a three-hitter to remain perfect in nine save chances. Slumping Trevor Story hit a solo homer for the Red Sox, who had lost three of their previous four games. He entered hitting .
203 with two homers. Justin Crawford went deep for the Phillies, who dropped to 11-4 since Don Mattingly replaced Rob Thomson as manager after a 9-19 start. Schwarber went 0 for 2 after tying a franchise-record by homering in five straight games.
Boston first baseman Willson Contreras returned after missing Tuesday’s series-opening loss due to a bruised right hand sustained when hit by a fastball on Sunday. Phillies shortstop Trea Tunner didn't start because of an illness, but walked pinch hitting in the ninth. Philadelphia starter Andrew Painter gave up a run and four hits in five innings.
He was tagged for eight runs in just 3 2/3 innings in his previous start. Up next Phillies LHP Jesús Luzardo (3-3, 5. 98 ERA) is set to start the series finale Thursday against Red Sox LHP Ranger Suárez (2-2, 2.