Ceddanne Rafaela's clutch gene strikes again in Red Sox win

Rafaela’s last six home runs have all come in the sixth inning or later.

Ceddanne Rafaela belted the first pitch of his at-bat for a two-run homer to seal a Red Sox win on Friday. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

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Ceddanne Rafaela is developing a knack for late-game homers.

Each of the rookie slugger’s last six home runs have come in the sixth inning or later, and his most recent long ball propelled the Red Sox out of their five-game slump on Friday night.

After Enmanuel Valdez drew a walk on a 12-pitch at-bat, Rafaela stepped up to the plate in the seventh inning and crushed the very first pitch of his. The ball soared over the Green Monster and gave Boston a 3-1 lead that stood as the final.

“It’s huge for us in this moment right now,” Rafaela said in an on-field interview with NESN postgame. “Still competing, still fighting till the end. We believe in this team and we’re going to keep going.”

Rafaela is batting .253 with 15 home runs and 65 RBI, but seems to hit an extra gear late in tight games. He didn’t read much into that on Friday night, though.

“I just stick to the moment and try to do my best right there,” Rafaela said.

Rafaela’s slugging, along with his defensive prowess and versatility, have moved the needle enough to make him an American League Rookie of the Year candidate. And that versatility will likely be tested again on Saturday, as he’s set to switch defensive positions again.

After filling in at shortstop for 80 games this year, Rafaela will be moving to second base when Trevor Story returns — which is on track for Saturday. After spring training, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Rafaela could be the team’s everyday center fielder. But due to Story’s injury, Boston’s skipper turned to the 23-year-old as a middle infielder instead.

Rafaela was a positive in his role at shortstop and Boston will surely hope that can translate to second base. As far as Rafaela is concerned though, the position doesn’t matter.

“Anywhere they put me they know I’m going to do my best and give my 100 percent to help the team,” Rafaela said. “That’s the only thing I want, to help this team and help us get a ring.”