BALTIMORE (AP) — Ceddanne Rafaela hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning to lift the Boston Red Sox to a 3-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night.
After Keegan Akin (4-4) worked out of a jam in the eighth to preserve a one-run lead, the left-hander couldn't contain Boston in the ninth.
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Boston Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela is unable to catch a fly ball hit by Baltimore Orioles' Dylan Beavers for an RBI double during the second inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Boston Red Sox's Alex Bregman reacts after being hit by a pitch by Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Roansy Contreras during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Roansy Contreras (66) delivers during the fourth inning of a baseball game Boston Red Sox, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Boston Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela, left, celebrates after hitting a double during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Jarren Duran led off with a single and Rafaela followed with a towering fly that cleared the wall in left-center.
An apparent miscommunication between Duran and Rafaela helped Baltimore take a 2-1 lead in the seventh. After Baltimore's Dylan Beavers drew a two-out walk, Dylan Carlson hit a liner that landed at the base of the wall between the two Boston outfielders, each of whom appeared unsure who was going to try to make the catch.
Boston starter Brayan Bello allowed two runs, one earned, and five hits over 6 2/3 innings.
Greg Weissert (6-4) got the win, and Aroldis Chapman worked a perfect ninth for his 26th save and his 14th consecutive hitless appearance.
Roman Anthony got Boston started with a shot to center off Dietrich Enns on the fifth pitch of the game. Two nights earlier, the rookie became the youngest player in Red Sox history (21 years, 104 days) to hit a leadoff homer.
Rafaela came into the game with a .188 batting average since the All-Star break, but he put a game-winning swing on Akin's 1-1 changeup in the ninth.
Beavers has reached base in nine of his first 10 games in the majors. In those 10 games, he has scored eight runs, hit four doubles and collected four RBIs.
Boston goes for a four-game sweep Thursday when Garrett Crochet (14-5, 2.38 ERA) faces the Orioles and Cade Povich (2-7, 5.13 ERA).
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
Boston Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela is unable to catch a fly ball hit by Baltimore Orioles' Dylan Beavers for an RBI double during the second inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Boston Red Sox's Alex Bregman reacts after being hit by a pitch by Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Roansy Contreras during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Roansy Contreras (66) delivers during the fourth inning of a baseball game Boston Red Sox, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Boston Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela, left, celebrates after hitting a double during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 18, 2026--
Running shoes brand Xtep has announced that it will form a joint venture with Bonia, a distributor with over 50 years of market expertise in Malaysia, to jointly develop the Malaysian market. Analysts indicate that this move will accelerate Xtep’s drive to become the leading running brand in Southeast Asia. Notably, this new strategic direction also involves an adjustment to Xtep’s previous business cooperation model in Malaysia. In line with Xtep Group’s overall strategic shift, the company’s business model in Malaysia will be upgraded from a single exclusive distribution arrangement to a multi-channel setup. The former exclusive distributor, VGO, will transition to a “non-exclusive distributor” and remain a key partner for Xtep in deepening its local market presence. Before Xtep’s partnership with Bonia, VGO served as Xtep’s exclusive partner in Malaysia. As the initial partner facilitating Xtep’s entry into the Malaysian market, VGO laid a solid foundation for the brand’s successful entry. Xtep will continue its collaboration with VGO to advance the Xtep brand’s development through channels where VGO holds particular strength. Meanwhile, Bonia will focus on maximizing Xtep’s brand visibility in Malaysia’s core commercial districts and running brand hubs.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260114707896/en/
Chinese media reports highlight Malaysia as Xtep’s springboard for expansion into Southeast Asia, emphasizing that this business model transformation is crucial for implementing the “Chinese Root, World-Class Running Shoes” strategy proposed in 2022. Bonia’s sales network spans Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian markets. The company maintains strong, stable relationships with major shopping centers in these countries, possesses deep insights into local consumer needs, and has solid cross-border retail operation capabilities.
The first store under Xtep’s partnership with Bonia opened in Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur. According to Xtep, this 3,262-square-foot professional running flagship store displays performance running products by function and features services such as a trial running zone and foot shape and gait analysis, allowing runners to experience world-class running technology. This store also showcases stories of local runners and photos from local running events to enhance runners’ sense of belonging.
Running culture in Malaysia is maturing. Data from the World Bank and Euromonitor International shows that Malaysia has the largest sportswear and footwear market in Southeast Asia. The Malaysian Sports Culture Index 2023 survey revealed that 63% of respondents cited jogging as their favorite sport. In terms of road racing popularity, the 2024 Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon attracted over 40,000 participants.
Xtep entered the Malaysian market in 2024 and has consistently employed an operational strategy of “Professional-to-mass influence” coupled with a cultural strategy of “adapting to local conditions”. The brand has connected with local consumers through events and running communities. During its partnership with VGO, Xtep organized several large-scale running events in Malaysia, including the “10KM Time Challenge” held in Penang in August 2024, which attracted top athletes from Indonesia, Singapore, Uganda and Kenya. With Malaysia emerging as a strategic hub for international growth, Xtep envisions the country as both a blueprint for overseas expansion and a dynamic showcase of its running heritage.
Comprehensive Channel Upgrade! Xtep Leverages Southeast Asian Foothold to Advance Global Running Footwear Strategy
