Ceddanne Rafaela’s standout performance, with four hits and four RBIs, led the visiting Boston Red Sox to a 14-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, marking Chicago’s 14th consecutive defeat—a new franchise record for a single season.
Tanner Houck (6-5) delivered a strong performance on the mound for Boston, allowing just two runs on three hits with no walks over seven innings, while striking out nine. Jarren Duran, Enmanuel Valdez, and Jamie Westbrook each hit home runs for the Red Sox, who amassed a season-high 24 hits. Duran, who also had four hits in the game, set the tone with a leadoff home run against Chicago’s Jake Woodford (0-2).
Blue Jays Edge Orioles in Close Contest
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s three-run homer and Yusei Kikuchi’s six strong innings helped the Toronto Blue Jays secure a 6-5 win over the Baltimore Orioles, completing a 4-3 homestand. Ernie Clement added two RBIs, and Daulton Varsho scored twice for Toronto. Kikuchi (3-5) allowed just one run on four hits and one walk.
Baltimore’s Cade Povich (0-1) struggled in his major league debut, giving up six runs on five hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings. Despite two home runs from Adley Rutschman and a two-run pinch-hit homer by Ryan O’Hearn, the Orioles couldn’t overcome Toronto’s lead.
Yankees Sweep Twins, Extend Winning Streak
The New York Yankees extended their winning streak to a season-best eight games with an 8-5 victory over the Minnesota Twins. Trent Grisham, making a rare start, drove in three runs, while Gleyber Torres hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the third inning. Juan Soto left the game due to left forearm discomfort following a rain delay.
Minnesota’s Carlos Correa and Christian Vazquez both homered, but Twins starter Pablo Lopez (5-6) struggled, allowing seven runs on four hits and six walks over four innings.
Royals Squeeze Past Guardians
Kyle Isbel’s two-out, tiebreaking single in the eighth inning lifted the Kansas City Royals to a 4-3 win over the Cleveland Guardians. Five Royals relievers combined to hold Cleveland hitless over 5 1/3 innings. Vinnie Pasquantino and Hunter Renfroe each had two hits and an RBI for Kansas City.
Jose Ramirez homered for Cleveland, which struggled with runners in scoring position, going 1-for-8 and leaving 11 men stranded.
Dodgers Outslug Pirates
Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts each hit three-run home runs as the Los Angeles Dodgers powered past the Pittsburgh Pirates, 11-7. Teoscar Hernandez also homered for the Dodgers, and Miguel Rojas drove in two runs. Michael Grove (3-2) earned the win with two scoreless innings of relief.
Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz hit a three-run homer, while Nick Gonzales and Ke’Bryan Hayes also contributed with homers. However, Alex Vesia struck out the side in the ninth to seal the win for Los Angeles.
Rockies Edge Cardinals
Michael Toglia’s run-scoring and run-saving plays helped the Colorado Rockies snap a five-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Rockies starter Cal Quantrill (5-4) threw five scoreless innings, while Tyler Kinley earned his third save.
Cardinals starter Sonny Gray (7-4) allowed three runs on two hits and four walks in 4 2/3 innings.
Mariners Shut Out Athletics
Bryan Woo’s six shutout innings and Mitch Garver’s homer led the Seattle Mariners to a 3-0 win over the Oakland Athletics. Woo (3-0) allowed only two hits and no walks, lowering his ERA to 1.07. JP Sears (4-5) pitched well for Oakland but couldn’t match Woo’s performance.
Reds Down Cubs
Elly De La Cruz’s three-run homer marked the one-year anniversary of his major league debut, propelling the Cincinnati Reds to an 8-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Will Benson and Jonathan India each drove in two runs for the Reds, who extended their winning streak to five games.
Seiya Suzuki and Christopher Morel hit two-run homers for the Cubs, who have lost 10 of their last 14 games.
Braves Rally Past Nationals
Marcell Ozuna’s two-run homer capped a three-run eighth inning as the Atlanta Braves rallied to defeat the Washington Nationals, 5-2. Adam Duvall also homered for the Braves. Aaron Bummer (2-2) earned the win, and Raisel Iglesias secured his 16th save.
CJ Abrams and Lane Thomas hit back-to-back homers for the Nationals, who have lost four straight games.
Diamondbacks Top Padres
Ketel Marte’s two-out RBI single in the seventh inning lifted the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 4-3 win over the slumping San Diego Padres. Corbin Carroll doubled before Marte’s decisive hit. Kevin Ginkel (5-1) got the win, and Paul Sewald earned his seventh save.
Fernando Tatis Jr. had a three-hit game, extending his hitting streak to 12 games, but it wasn’t enough to prevent San Diego’s fifth consecutive loss.
