Ceddanne Rafaela homers, drives in 7 runs to lead Boston's 17-0 rout of the Cubs

BOSTON (AP) — Ceddanne Rafaela homered and drove in seven runs, and Tyler O’Neill also went deep as the Boston Red Sox routed the Chicago Cubs 17-0 on Saturday.

The 23-year-old Rafaela was asked if he could recall a time when he amassed seven RBIs in a game.

“That I remember? No,” Rafaela said.

The Red Sox established single-game season bests at home with runs and 21 hits. Boston, which lost eight of its first 11 games at Fenway Park this season, snapped a two-game skid and won for the fifth time in eight games overall.

Rafaela, playing shortstop and batting ninth, went 4 for 4. Masataka Yoshida made his first start since April 20 and went 4 for 5. Bobby Dalbec, who entered the game batting .093, had two hits, three RBIs — including a run-scoring hit in a six-run fifth inning — and scored twice.

“It was a sense of relief that I was able to deliver good results,” Yoshida said.

Six Red Sox players finished with at least two hits – a good development for a lineup that has lost a few key contributors since opening day.

“We always want the guys to stay healthy throughout the year. It’s sad that we’re missing some players, but whoever is in the lineup and on the roster, we’ve got to do our best,” Yoshida said.

O’Neill jumped on a 3-0 pitch and sent it over the Green Monster for his ninth homer and a 2-0 lead in the first inning. A sacrifice fly by Rafaela made it 3-0 in the fourth. The Red Sox broke loose for six runs in the fifth.

“I loved it. That was professional right there,” Rafaela said about his sac fly. “It’s the little things that’s going to allow us to play in October.”

Rafaela hit a basesloaded double that made it 8-0. Wilyer Abreu became the first Red Sox rookie to record RBIs in eight consecutive games when he singled, scoring O’Neill, who helped get the big inning going with a one-out double.

“It’s what we work for and what I work for … to help the team,” Rafaela said. “It’s awesome to have these types of games and awesome to do it in front of these fans.”

Red Sox starter Josh Winckowski worked three scoreless innings before turning things over to the bullpen. Boston starting pitchers came in with an American League-best 2.15 ERA while holding opposing hitters to a league-low .214 batting average.

Justin Slaton (2-0) pitched two scoreless innings, striking out two. He was one of four relievers used after Winckowski.

The Cubs managed just four hits and needed two position players — Matt Mervis, Patrick Wisdom — to record three outs in the eighth inning. Chicago starter Ben Brown (0-1) allowed three runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings, striking out four.

“I was in a good spot to go out there and compete,” Brown said. “Obviously it’s a tough game, but we have a really tough team. We showed that today. ”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cubs: LHP Justin Steele (left hamstring strain) threw 47 pitches in an extended spring game in Arizona on Friday. The next step is a rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday. Steele has been on the IL since exiting his opening day start on March 28.

Red Sox: RHP Nick Pivetta (IL since April 6 with a flexor strain of his pitching elbow) is on track to make a rehab start Thursday. Triple-A Worcester is scheduled to play at home that same day. Pivetta threw a 50-pitch live LP Saturday. … Devers made his first start at third base since April 16. … The minor-league rehab assignment for 2B Vaughn Grissom (left hamstring strain) could be nearing the end. Cora said the plan was for Grissom to play nine innings Saturday and Sunday for Worcester. … The Red Sox acquired 1B/OF Garrett Cooper from the Cubs for cash considerations. Cooper was designated for assignment on Tuesday. Boston transferred 1B Triston Casas to the 60-day IL to make room for Cooper on the 40-man roster.

UP NEXT

Red Sox RHP Tanner Houck (3-2, 1.65) will start Sunday night’s series finale against Cubs LHP Jordan Wicks 1-2, 4.70).

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

With Chicago Cubs outfielder Patrick Wisdom on the mound, left fielder Alexander Canario waits for the pitch during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Chicago Cubs left fielder Alexander Canario makes the catch on the fly out by Boston Red Sox's David Hamilton during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Winckowski throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Boston Red Sox's Tyler O'Neill hits a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Boston Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida, right, follows through on his single in front of Chicago Cubs catcher Yan Gomes, center, during the second inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Boston Red Sox's Bobby Dalbec scores on a three-run double by Ceddanne Rafaela as Chicago Cubs catcher Yan Gomes reaches for the late throw during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Boston Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela celebrates after his two-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Matt Chapman hit a grand slam in the first inning to lead the struggling San Francisco Giants to a 5-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday.

The Giants had lost eight of 11 games coming into the contest and were averaging less than three runs over their last 15 before Chapman provided more than that with one big swing in the first against Nick Lodolo (3-2).

“It means a lot,” Chapman said. “We've been grinding lately, not playing our best baseball. So to be able to jump out early like that was huge. I think we can build off a game like today.”

Chapman came to the plate with two outs in and sent a drive over the bullpen beyond the fence in left-center to give San Francisco a 4-0 lead.

Mason Black made the lead stand up by allowing only one run in 4 1/3 innings in his home debut, giving up a solo homer to Elly De La Cruz in the fourth.

“When you can get a lead like that hopefully it takes some pressure off the rest of the guys,” Chapman said. “Not when you're up 4-0 you think you're going to win the game, but it gives you a good cushion.”

The bullpen did the rest, sending the Reds to their ninth loss in 10 games.

Taylor Rogers (1-1) replaced Black with two runners on in the fifth. He got out of the jam by striking out pinch-hitter Stuart Fairchild with the bases loaded to earn the win.

Black was helped by outfielder Heliot Ramos, who threw out two runners from right field trying to stretch hits into doubles and then made a diving catch in left field in the fifth inning.

Ramos threw out Will Benson in the second and Jake Fraley in the fourth and then robbed Benson of a hit after moving spots in the fifth inning. Mike Yastrzemski replaced Ramos in right field and threw Jeimer Candelario out trying to stretch a hit into a double to end sixth.

“Over the course of the year we’re going to make base-running mistakes," manager David Bell said. "Today I didn’t consider those mistakes. When the other team makes plays like that, makes perfect throws, you can't wait around to find out. Today, they got it done.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Reds: LHP Alex Young (back) retired all three batters on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville on Friday and is expected to pitch again in the minors Sunday.

Giants: LF Michael Conforto left after hitting a single in the fourth inning with tightness in his right hamstring. He is day to day. ... CF Austin Slater was placed on the seven-day concussion list after crashing into the wall Friday night. Manager Bob Melvin said Slater was reporting some “fogginess” the morning after. ... C Patrick Bailey was reinstated from the concussion list and started. ... Utilityman Brett Wisely was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento and C Jackson Reetz was optioned back to the River Cats.

UP NEXT

Cincinnati's Frankie Montas (2-3, 3.55) is set to take on Kyle Harrison (3-1, 3.20) in the series finale Sunday.

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

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brent Suter throws to a San Francisco Giants batter during the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 11, 2024, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

San Francisco Giants' LaMonte Wade Jr. is hit by a pitch during the seventh inning of the team's baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Saturday, May 11, 2024, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

San Francisco Giants shortstop Casey Schmitt, left, tags out Cincinnati Reds' Jeimer Candelario at second base during the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 11, 2024, in San Francisco. Candelario singled before trying to extend it to a double. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Cincinnati Reds right fielder Jake Fraley, center, catches a fly ball hit by San Francisco Giants' LaMonte Wade Jr. during the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 11, 2024, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Cincinnati Reds' Elly De La Cruz runs the bases after hitting solo home run against the San Francisco Giants during the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 11, 2024, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

San Francisco Giants pitcher Mason Black throws to a Cincinnati Reds batter during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 11, 2024, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

San Francisco Giants' Matt Chapman runs the bases on a grand slam against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 11, 2024, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

San Francisco Giants' Matt Chapman, left, celebrates with LaMonte Wade Jr. after hitting a grand slam against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 11, 2024, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)