This 12 months hasn’t at all times been simple for Ceddanne Rafaela. The Purple Sox outfielder has posted respectable numbers, however when he begins chasing pitches the at bats can get ugly.
But when Rafaela stepped to the plate with the successful run on within the backside of the ninth and a playoff spot on the road, there’s no one else the Purple Sox would’ve relatively had up.
“He’s like born for the second,” stated Purple Sox third baseman Alex Bregman. “He at all times appears to discover a option to come up clutch.”
Rafaela got here by means of but once more for the Purple Sox, crushing a walk-off triple to deep middle area to clinch the membership’s first playoff berth in 4 years.
The ball sailed 396 ft to lifeless middle area, and whereas Detroit Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows made a very good effort, it simply acquired over his outstretched glove and bounced off the wall.
However even earlier than that, Rafaela’s teammates knew it was over the second he made contact.
“The child, there’s one thing about him,” supervisor Alex Cora stated.
Although Rafaela continues to be solely 25 years outdated, the outfielder is already assembling a powerful resume in late-game conditions. Friday’s triple was Rafaela’s third walk-off of the season, following two earlier walk-off homers, the latest of which additionally got here on a Friday evening and broke the Tampa Bay Rays again on July 11.
“It looks like because the second will get greater and the lights get brighter, he slows his heartbeat and he’s at his finest,” chief baseball officer Craig Breslow stated. “We’ve seen that numerous instances so it’s laborious to think about wanting a distinct man up there.”
Rafaela is nearing the top of a curler coaster common season that has seen him set up himself as one of many sport’s premier defensive gamers, but additionally one in every of its streakiest hitters. General he’s batting .247 with 16 dwelling runs and a .704 OPS, however alongside the best way he’s loved some unimaginable scorching streaks interspersed amongst some brutal slumps.
The second half hasn’t been variety to Rafaela, however currently he’s proven indicators that he might be getting scorching once more simply in time for October. Since Sept. 19 he’s gone 11 for 26 (.423) with a 1.118 OPS, and he’s additionally now hit safely in six of his final seven video games.
“I’m so happy with him, he’s labored his tail off and he’s come up clutch for us all 12 months lengthy,” Bregman stated.
And if he involves the plate in an enormous spot once more come October, Rafaela stated there’s little doubt in his thoughts he’ll be prepared.
“I wish to be in that second,” Rafaela stated.
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