The Boston Red Sox may have lost their three-game series with the Detroit Tigers over the weekend, but Friday's game was one of the most exciting matchups of the season.
After Kenley Jansen blew the save in the ninth inning, Red Sox rookie shortstop/center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela stepped to the plate in extra innings and hit a 398-foot two-run home run to left field to give Boston the lead.
That type of composure in the clutch isn't something that comes to every rookie, and it's impressive a couple of his All-Star teammates - Jarren Duran and Tanner Houck.
“To be able to show maturity of grinding the whole game and then to hit a home run like that, that guy’s an absolute stud,” Duran said (via. MassLive). “I’m so happy everybody gets to see it on display.”
Duran followed up Rafaela's two-run blast with a solo shot of his own as the very next batter, giving Boston's bullpen some breathing room.
The Red Sox went on to win the game, and it was the first time in quite some time that they won a game that Houck started. The right-handed pitcher also credited Rafaela after the game.
“Even with two strikes, he doesn’t panic,” Houck said. “He made a big league adjustment to get to that fastball up, even though it was about four balls up. Ultimately, he’s got an incredible talent, quick hands, good vision. So for him to go out there and do that and have a big moment again, all kudos to him.”
The sky is the limit for the 23-year-old. If he can figure out how to lay off pitches outside of the zone, he could be one of the best players in the league. But, even if that's his issue his whole career, he can still be an important part of Boston's roster due to his defense and ability to perform in those clutch moments.
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