Ceddanne Rafaela’s tiebreaking two-run single helps Red Sox to 8-6 Patriots’ Day win over Tigers

By: Ken Powtak, The Associated Press Posted: 1:40 PM CDT Monday, Apr. 20, 2026 Last Modified: 6:25 PM CDT Monday, Apr. 20, 2026

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BOSTON (AP) — Pinch-hitter Ceddanne Rafaela had a tiebreaking, two-run single in the seventh inning and the Red Sox beat the Detroit Tigers 8-6 on Monday in Boston’s annual Patriots’ Day game to salvage a split of their four-game series.

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Isiah Kiner-Falefa also had a two-run single for the Red Sox, who halted a two-game skid.

The Tigers lost for just the second time in 10 games after taking the last two.

Boston Red Sox' Ceddanne Rafaela hits a two run pinch hit single down the right field line in the seventh inning during a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Boston. (AP Photo/Jim Davis)

The game coincided with the running of the Boston Marathon. The Red Sox wore their special “Boston” home white jerseys, which debuted as a tribute to the city after the marathon bombings in 2013.

Boston starter Sonny Gray left the game in the third inning with right hamstring tightness.

Garrett Whitlock (2-1), the sixth of eight Red Sox pitchers, worked a perfect inning for the victory. Aroldis Chapman got the last two outs for his fourth save.

Rafaela’s soft liner to right off reliever Tyler Holton (0-1) put the Red Sox ahead 5-3. Rafaela advanced to second on a throw to the plate that cut down a runner, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on Carlos Narváez’s single.

The Tigers had taken a 3-2 edge in the sixth on Jahmai Jones’ pinch-hit RBI single before the Red Sox tied it in the bottom half on Roman Anthony’s single.

Detroit starter Jack Flaherty lasted just 3 1/3 innings, giving up two unearned runs and three hits. He walked six and had three strikeouts.

Gray gave up a run on three hits in 2 2/3 innings.

Up next

Tigers: Host Milwaukee on Tuesday when RHP Keider Montero (1-1, 3.31 ERA) is set to face Brewers LHP Kyle Harrison (1-1, 3.07) in the opener of a three-game series.

Red Sox: Begin a three-game series against the Yankees on Tuesday with LHP Connelly Early (1-0, 2.29) set to face New York’s RHP Luis Gil (0-1, 7.00).

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb