Ceddanne Rafaela's grand slam sends Red Sox past A's 4-2 for 18th victory in 20 games

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Ceddanne Rafaela hit his first major league grand slam and the Boston Red Sox beat the Athletics 4-2 after being held without a hit through five innings Monday night.

Connor Wong doubled leading off the sixth for the first hit against Athletics rookie starter Jack Perkins (2-6), who was pulled after walking Willson Contreras with two outs. José Suarez walked Wilyer Abreu to load the bases, setting the stage for Rafaela's 11th homer and a 4-1 lead.

Curtis Mead struck out looking his first time up in his Boston debut and then left after he was hit on the wrist by a pitch his second time up. The Red Sox acquired Mead from the Wasington Nationals on Saturday night for rookie pitcher Connelly Early.

Tyler Soderstrom extended his hitting streak to 10 games when he launched his 17th homer to give the Athletics a 1-0 lead two batters into the bottom of the first against Payton Tolle. Jonah Heim homered for the 10th time to cut it to 4-2 in the sixth.

Tolle (6-6) allowed two runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked one to help the surging Red Sox (55-50) win for the 18th time in 20 games.

The A's have lost three straight and 24 of 30.

Justin Slaten got the final two outs in the sixth for Boston, and Jovani Morán and Garrett Whitlock each pitched a perfect inning.

Aroldis Chapman gave up a leadoff single to Colby Thomas in the ninth, and pinch-hitter Nick Kurtz reached on a one-out fielding error at second by Anthony Seigler. Chapman struck out Henry Bolte and Alika Williams for his 25th save in 27 opportunities.

Perkins walked three and was charged with two runs on one hit in 5 2/3 innings.

Red Sox LHP Jake Bennett (6-3, 2.58 ERA) starts Tuesday opposite Athletics LHP Gage Jump (3-6, 4.42).

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Boston Red Sox pitcher Payton Tolle throws to an Athletics batter during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, July 27, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)

Athletics pitcher Jack Perkins throws to a Boston Red Sox batter during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, July 27, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)

Boston Red Sox's Curtis Mead is hit by a pitch during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Monday, July 27, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)

Boston Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela, right, celebrates with teammate Willson Contreras, left, after hitting a grand slam during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Monday, July 27, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)

Boston Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela watches his grand slam during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Monday, July 27, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Grant McCray hit his first home run of the season in the fourth inning and Tyler Mahle threw six sharp innings as the San Francisco Giants downed the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 on Monday night.

Giants’ Luis Arraez got the scoring started in the third inning, knocking in rookie catcher Jesus Rodriguez from second base for the first run of the game.

Not long after, McCray followed it up with a 406-foot deep shot to left field, batting in himself and Willie Adames to take a 3-0 lead they would never surrender. It was also McCray’s first home run since 2024, as the back-up filled in at right field for injured starter Jung Hoo Lee.

Giants’ RHP Tyler Mahle (3-9) earned the win, holding the Brewers scoreless through the first six innings and allowing only three hits on the night.

Milwaukee starting pitcher Brandon Sproat was tagged with the loss, allowing three runs and six hits in six innings, falling to 3-6 on the season. Reliever Garrett Stallings replaced Sprout in the seventh.

The Brewers’ offense couldn’t muster any momentum as the team’s home run leader, Jake Bauers, only collected one hit, while William Contreras and Brice Turang were held hitless.

San Francisco lost Casey Schmitt to an apparent leg injury, as the third baseman exited in the second after pulling up awkwardly while rounding first base. Backup Christian Koss replaced Schmitt.

Schmitt adds to San Francisco’s growing injury list as the team was already without third baseman Matt Chapman (abdominal strain) and outfielder Lee (right elbow soreness).

Brewers’ RHP Logan Henderson (4-1, 3.05 ERA) opposes Giants RHP Landen Roupp (7-8, 3.93 ERA) on Tuesday night at Oracle Park.

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San Francisco Giants' Luis Arraez steals second as Milwaukee Brewers' Cooper Pratt (12) leaps for a high throw from the catcher during the third inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Monday, July 27, 2026. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

San Francisco Giants pitcher Sam Hentges throws against the Milwaukee Brewers during the seventh inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Monday, July 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

San Francisco Giants pitcher Tyler Mahle (31) tags out Milwaukee Brewers' Luis Lara (18) at first base during the seventh inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Monday, July 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras (24) playfully slaps San Francisco Giants' Luis Arraez, right, during the seventh inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Monday, July 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

San Francisco Giants' Grant McCray is doused by teammates after their team's victory over the Milwaukee Brewers during a baseball game in San Francisco, Monday, July 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)