BOSTON -- Red Sox veteran Alex Bregman described the atmosphere at Fenway Park the past couple of weeks as "absolutely rocking."
Second baseman Ceddanne Rafaela's unassisted double play to end the eighth inning Sunday only amplified it.
"When Ceddanne dove and touched second base, I mean that was probably the craziest I've seen this crowd this year so far," Bregman said. "That or his walkoff homer (July 11 against the Rays)."
The Red Sox won 4-3 over the Dodgers to take the three-game series, 2-1.
With runners at first and second base, Rafaela caught Hernández's 88.9 mph line drive and then dived to tag second base, completing an unassisted double play by catching Kim off the bag. Kim initially was called safe but the call was overturned after review.
"My first year in the big leagues, we came here during the playoffs and that'll always be stuck in my head how crazy that environment was," Bregman said. "And it's feeling more and more like that I think because not only do we believe that we're a playoff ball club, but I think our fans do as well."
Rafaela leads all major league center fielders in defensive runs saved with 17 in 817 ⅔ innings. But Marcelo Mayer's injury will force the Red Sox to play Rafaela more at second base than they initially planned.
"That play at the end, that was great," manager Alex Cora said. "It sucks because he's the best defensive center fielder in the big leagues, but right now we need him to play second more than we actually wanted to. He's willing to do it. He's all about winning. We moved people around. They will do it."
Jordan Hicks induced Hernández's line drive after replacing Aroldis Chapman, who exited the game with two runners on base due to back tightness.
"(Hicks) made a pitch and the kid, he reacted very quick," Cora said. "His instincts are off the chart. It's a joy watching him play defense -- at center, at second, at short, it doesn't matter. He's that good and made a great play. And then (Hicks) did an outstanding job in the ninth."
Rafaela immediately knew he beat Kim to the bag.
"When I touched the base, I knew I got him," Rafaela said. "That's why I pointed at AC (manager Alex Cora to challenge)."
Hicks said he couldn't tell right away.
"It just looked like a soft line drive over my head and I saw him catch and dive back," Hicks said. "It looked bang-bang. And then on the video board, it was pretty clear.
"I respect anyone that can just play all positions really," Hicks added. "It's pretty unique. ... Such a great outfielder but also to help the team wherever he needs to be fit in -- just making plays like that. And still learning, still young."