The Boston Red Sox clinched their 2025 MLB Postseason spot after centerfielder Ceddanne Rafaela hit a walk-off triple in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers.
Rafaela drilled a pitch from Tigers relief pitcher Tommy Kahnle to deep centerfield that scored the winning run all the way from first base.
It is the Red Sox's sixth walk-off win in their City Connect uniforms.
This is the Red Sox's first postseason appearance since 2021, when they ultimately lost to the Houston Astros in six games.
The American League East will be sending three teams (New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays) to the MLB Postseason.
Red Sox relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman earned his fifth win on the season after throwing a shutout inning with a pair of strikeouts. Kahlne earns his fifth loss of the season as the Tigers still remain in a battle with the Cleveland Guardians for first in the AL Central with just two games to go.
Masataka Yoshida led the Red Sox in hitting with a 3-for-4 night at the plate, recording three singles, a run, and an RBI. Sox pitcher Kyle Harrison went three innings in his sixth start of the year, giving up three runs on seven hits.
Tigers starter Casey Mize went 6.2 innings, giving up just two runs on six hits while recording eight strikeouts and no walks.
The Red Sox-Tigers second game of the series will take place on Saturday at 4:10 p.m. Eastern (22:10 CET).