LOS ANGELES – Ceddanne Rafaela hit a go-ahead two-run home run in a five-run seventh inning, and the Red Sox made yet another statement with a 9-4 victory over the two-time defending champion Dodgers.
Andruw Monasterio added a two-run double in the seventh and Jarren Duran had an RBI groundout as the Red Sox improved to 4-1 on their seven-game California road trip after winning three of four against the Athletics.
The Red Sox overcame the departure of Willson Contreras, who left the game after being hit in the helmet by a 95.4 mph fastball from right-hander Will Klein in the third inning. The club said Contreras was removed for precautionary reasons.
Boston blew an early 3-0 lead when the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani hit a go-ahead home run in the fifth. But the Red Sox managed to send 10 batters to the plate in the seventh to regain the lead.
After left-hander Ranger Suarez wobbled in his second start since returning from a left groin strain, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks over 4 2/3 innings, the bullpen shut down the potent Dodgers offense. Right-hander Brayan Bello finished off the victory with four scoreless innings.
The Red Sox are now 12-3 since the All-Star break and 21-3 since July 3.
