Rafaela's first career grand slam lifts Red Sox over A's 4-2

A first career grand slam by Ceddanne Rafaela propelled the Boston Red Sox to a 4-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics in West Sacramento, California, on Monday night, extending the team's dominant recent run. The win marked Boston's 18th in its last 20 games and its 10th consecutive road victory.

The game remained scoreless until the sixth inning, when the Red Sox, who had been held hitless by Athletics rookie starter Jack Perkins, finally broke through. Connor Wong led off with a double, and after two outs, Perkins walked Willson Contreras. Reliever José Suarez then walked Wilyer Abreu to load the bases for Rafaela. The Boston outfielder launched a high fly ball to left field that Athletics left fielder Colby Thomas leaped for, but the ball tipped off his glove and cleared the fence for a grand slam, Rafaela's 11th home run of the season.

Rafaela admitted he initially thought the hit was an out, slamming his bat to the ground in frustration before seeing the result. Athletics manager Mark Kotsay remarked on the unusual sequence, saying he had never seen a player show such frustration and then be rewarded with a grand slam.

The Athletics scored their runs on solo home runs....