AnalysisThe Yankees scored five runs in the fifth inning after Ceddane Rafaela's diving attempt was ruled a non-catch. Vincent Carchietta / Imagn ImagesAug. 30, 2026 Updated 3:49 pm EDTBoston Red Sox center fielder Ceddane Rafaela believed he made the catch. The NESN broadcast confirmed that he did. Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s body language intimated that he was out on a sinking liner to center that Rafaela made a head-first sliding catch on in the fifth inning.The umpires in Sunday’s Red Sox and New York Yankees finale ruled that it was not a catch. Ranger Suárez’s inning continued, and the Yankees poured on five runs as a result.
The umpires ruled this NOT a catch by Ceddanne Rafaela… what? pic.twitter.com/J6X2j4We0o
— NESN (@NESN) August 30, 2026Instead of an out and double play to nab José Caballero at first, the field umpires ruled it a single to center, the ball just scraping the grass by their estimation. Rafaela, who jammed his neck on the play, prompting a trainer’s visit, remained heated with first base umpire Edwin Moscoso, who made the call on the non-catch.With playoff implications hanging in the balance for the Red Sox, the call was particularly frustrating. Boston entered Sunday sitting 74-62 and three games behind the Yankees (77-59) in the AL wild-card standings.With the season series tied 6-6, the winner of Sunday’s game will have home-field advantage in the wild-card round if the clubs finish with the same record.Aug 30, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
