Ceddanne Rafaela Appeared To Make Impossible Catch. Umpires Had Other Ideas originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Ceddanne Rafaela did it again. Or at least everyone watching Sunday’s game between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees thought he did.
Rafaela appeared to make a sensational diving catch on a sinking line drive from Jazz Chisholm Jr. during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium. The Red Sox center fielder raced forward, left his feet and secured the ball just before hitting the grass.
Chisholm appeared convinced he was out. Rafaela believed he had made the catch. The NESN broadcast showed replay angles that appeared to support him.
The umpires disagreed. The play was ruled a hit, and the call stood following replay review.
Talkin’ Baseball shared the controversial moment on X. The ruling kept the inning alive, and everything unraveled from there.
Controversial Call Changes Red Sox-Yankees FinaleSunday’s game was scoreless when Chisholm sent a sinking liner into center field. Rafaela charged hard and made a headfirst diving attempt. The ball entered his glove, but the umpires determined it touched the grass before he completed the catch.
Replay review upheld the call that Ceddanne Rafaela dropped this ball. Both runners on base would score two batters later pic.twitter.com/VZBR0n4ycf
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 30, 2026Had the play been ruled a catch, Rafaela also appeared positioned to double José Caballero off first base. Instead, Chisholm was awarded a single and the Yankees remained in business.
The replay review did not give Boston the reversal it wanted.
Rafaela immediately argued with first base umpire Edwin Moscoso. The center fielder also required a visit from a member of Boston’s training staff after appearing to jam his neck while landing on the play.
He remained in the game, but the Red Sox could not escape the inning.
Paul Goldschmidt eventually broke the scoreless tie with a two-run single. Heliot Ramos followed with a three-run home run off Ranger Suárez, turning a 0-0 game into a 5-0 Yankees advantage.
New York went on to win 6-0, handing Boston its third loss in the four-game series.
The controversial ruling did not account for every problem the Red Sox experienced Sunday. Boston finished with only four hits and was shut out for the third time in five games.
Still, the call clearly changed the fifth inning.
What appeared to be another brilliant Rafaela defensive play instead became the beginning of New York’s decisive rally.
Rafaela Continues To Make Difficult Plays Look RoutineFew center fielders in baseball would have gotten close to Chisholm’s line drive.
Rafaela not only reached it but appeared to secure the ball while sliding headfirst across the grass. Chisholm’s initial reaction told much of the story. The Yankees infielder slowed down as if he expected to head back to the dugout.
Rafaela’s frustration also was understandable. The 25-year-old has established himself as one of baseball’s most entertaining defensive players. His speed, instincts and throwing arm allow him to make plays other outfielders cannot attempt.
Rafaela already made a pivotal defensive contribution earlier in the series. During Boston’s 6-0 win Saturday afternoon, he helped throw Amed Rosario out at home plate to preserve Jake Bennett’s shutout.
Sunday’s play should have been another addition to his growing highlight reel. Instead, it became one of the most frustrating moments from a damaging weekend for Boston.
MORE: Red Sox Get Smacked By Yankees As Standings Slide Gets Worse
Red Sox Leave Bronx With More FrustrationThe loss dropped Boston to 74-63 and moved it four games behind New York for the American League’s top wild-card position. The Yankees also won the season series, giving them the tiebreaker if the rivals finish with identical records.
Boston cannot blame the entire series loss on one controversial call. The Red Sox scored only eight runs in four games and were shut out twice.
But in a scoreless game with playoff implications, Rafaela appeared to make the play Boston needed. The umpires saw something else, and the Yankees took full advantage.
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