'Special player': Rafaela stays red-hot as Sox take set in Toronto

TORONTO -- From a speedy Sunday (franchise-record nine stolen bases) to a powerful Monday (four homers), the Red Sox went with a combo of those ingredients -- and also some timely hitting -- to continue their recent surge with a come-from-behind, 4-3 victory over the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Tuesday.

With an offense that slumped through much of May getting more dynamic of late, the Sox have reeled off seven wins in their last nine games to pull four games over .500 (39-35) for the first time since May 2.

“We're playing good baseball,” said manager Alex Cora. “It seems like everybody's locked in and understanding their roles and how we’re going to use them. It’s been fun to watch. That was a very intense game, a really good game and we were able to win it.”

Down 3-2 entering the top of the eighth, Tyler O'Neill continued his triumphant return to his native Canada by belting an equalizing solo shot that he scorched at 105.8 mph and went a Statcast-projected distance of 408 feet.

It was O’Neill’s third home run in the first two games of this series, after he again loaded up with breakfast at that old Canadian staple: Tim Hortons.

From homering on Opening Day in Seattle and the home opener at Fenway to also hitting a titanic shot in his return to St. Louis last month, O’Neill seems to always go deep in games he’s revved up about. He now has 15 on the season in 182 at-bats.

O’Neill’s latest long ball was one of his most clutch of the season. Late-inning comebacks haven’t been frequent for a team that improved to 2-30 when trailing after seven innings with Tuesday’s victory.

“It started with a big swing,” said Cora. “We got a matchup we liked, the lefty against the righty and [O’Neill] put a good swing on it.”

But Boston’s win would not have been possible without the additional events of that top of the eighth: Dominic Smith, who had an RBI single earlier in the game, came through with a two-out single to keep the inning going.

And no sooner did Smith get on base then Cora sent the speedy David Hamilton to pinch-run for him. Hamilton immediately took off for second and stole his 19th base.

“Cora was like, ‘Get a good jump, then go,’” said Hamilton. “That’s what I did.”

Not only that, but Hamilton got into scoring position for the hottest hitter on the team.

Once again, Ceddanne Rafaela delivered, this time with a hard low line drive to the left side that ticked off the glove of shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa and into left for the go-ahead RBI single.

“It's awesome to help the team in that situation right there,” said Rafaela. “I knew that they needed me right there to put a good at-bat so I was trying to get the best pitch I could to ... drive him in.”

With Hamilton sprinting himself into scoring position, Rafaela had added motivation to drive in a teammate he has played with since Double-A.

“Yeah, but without pressure [on myself],” said Rafaela. “I’m always under control and I just wanted to do my best there.”

It was the third hit of the game for the red-hot Rafaela, who has a glittering batting line of .468/.490/.596 since June 6, raising his average from .202 to .251 over that span.

“Special player,” said Red Sox ace Tanner Houck, who gave up six hits and three runs (two earned) over 5 2/3 innings. “Everyone knew that the talent was there. Obviously everyone sees the athleticism. It's stuff off the field that you don't get to see, the work that he puts in every day. And, it was just a matter of time before everything clicked.”

For all the lumps rookies Rafaela and Hamilton were going through in the early weeks of the season, that athletic speed combo is now benefiting from their pregame work with the coaching staff.

The Red Sox have clearly played with more confidence during this recent stretch; the 8-9-1 combo of Hamilton, Rafaela and Duran has been a large factor during the team’s recent surge.

“I think the boys know who they are and as a group, they are swinging it, and showing a lot of speed on the basepaths,” said Houck. “Whenever they get on, it causes a lot of issues all around.”