Final, Rockies 8-3: Manny Corpas held down the Red Sox in the ninth inning, and the Rockies emerged victorious.
John Lackey surrendered three home runs in Tuesday’s losing effort, and the Rockies tacked on against the Boston bullpen in the seventh inning.
Charlie Blackmon, Troy Tulowitzki and Corey Dickerson went deep for Colorado. All three homers were solo shots, and Lackey exited after giving up four runs on six hits in six innings of work. The right-hander struck out five and walked one.
The Red Sox got on the board in the seventh inning, but the Rockies made sure that Boston didn’t develop any momentum by striking for four runs of their own in the bottom of the frame. Three runs were charged to Brandon Workman and one run was charged to Drake Britton. Jarrod Saltalamacchia smacked a home run in the ninth inning, but the game was already out of reach at that point.
Jake Peavy will take the mound Wednesday as the Red Sox look to rebound from Tuesday’s loss. It’s important that the Red Sox get back on track if they want to secure home-field advantage.
Good night, everyone.
11:16 p.m., Rockies 8-3: The Red Sox aren’t going quietly, at least.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit a two-run homer, and the Rockies will now make a pitching change with one out in the ninth inning.
Manny Corpas will look to close this one out.
End 8th, Rockies 8-1: Rubby De La Rosa scattered a walk and a single while working a scoreless eighth inning.
Ryan Wheeler walked with one out and Charlie Blackmon followed with a base hit into right field. De La Rosa induced two ground balls to end the inning.
Josh Outman will take over for Colorado in the ninth.
Mid 8th, Rockies 8-1: It looks like Shane Victorino’s thumb is still bothering him.
Victorino singled with one out in the eighth inning. He could be seen grimacing in pain following the hit, though, and it’s obvious he’s battling out there — as he’s done for much of the year.
The Red Sox failed to do anything with Victorino’s one-out knock.
End 7th, Rockies 8-1: Franklin Morales managed to avoid any further damage in the seventh inning.
Morales struck out Todd Helton, walked Nolan Arenado and then retired Corey Dickerson on a ground ball to second base.
The Rockies came away from the inning with four runs total. Three of the runs were charged to Brandon Workman. The right-hander gave up three hits and walked one while retiring just one batter. Drake Britton, who gave up a double to the only batter he faced, was charged with the other run in the seventh inning.
John Lackey went six innings in this game. He gave up four runs on six hits, including three home runs. Lackey struck out five, walked one and threw 87 pitches (60 strikes).
10:49 p.m., Rockies 8-1: Want to predict what is going to happen next? The MLB PrePlay app allows you to predict every play of every game. By correctly selecting the outcome of every at-bat in real time, you’re able to earn points.
10:47 p.m., Rockies 8-1: The Rockies have touched up the Red Sox’ bullpen in the seventh inning.
Drake Britton started the frame and gave up a leadoff double to Jordan Pacheco. Pacheco ripped a ball right down the left field line.
John Farrell decided to call upon Brandon Workman at that point, and Workman did nothing to boost confidence in the Red Sox’ middle relief corps.
Josh Rutledge pinch hit for pitcher Tyler Chatwood and singled into right field. Workman then walked Charlie Blackmon to load the bases.
DJ LeMahieu knocked in two runs with a base hit into left-center field. Pacheco and Rutledge both scored.
The Rockies executed a double steal with Troy Tulowitzki at the plate. That moved two runners into scoring position, although Tulowitzki ended up grounding to third base for the first out of the inning. Michael Cuddyer took advantage of the two ducks on the pond. He dropped a base hit into right field that scored two more runs.
Farrell will now make another change. Franklin Morales is coming in to pitch.
Mid 7th, Rockies 4-1: The Red Sox came away from the seventh inning with one run in unique fashion.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Stephen Drew grounded out to begin the seventh. Salty hit one back to the mound, and Drew grounded to DJ LeMahieu at second base.
Will Middlebrooks made sure that the Red Sox didn’t go down in order. He lifted a fly ball to deep right field. Michael Cuddyer ran back toward the warning track, but couldn’t come up with it on a leaping attempt. Middlebrooks headed into second base with a two-out double.
Tyler Chatwood, who has been rolling along thus far, should have been out of the seventh inning unscathed. He made two errors on one play, though, and Middlebrooks crossed the plate with Boston’s first run.
Jackie Bradley Jr. ripped a ground ball down the first base line that Todd Helton laid out to grab. Helton delivered a perfect flip to Chatwood, but the right-hander simply dropped it. Chatwood attempted to recover in time to try to throw out Middlebrooks at home, but his throw to the plate was brutal. Middlebrooks scored, and Bradley was awarded third base.
Mike Carp pinch hit for John Lackey with two outs, and Chatwood uncorked a pitch that got away from catcher Jordan Pacheco. Bradley tried to race home, but Pacheco made a very nice play to quickly track the ball down. The Rockies catcher tossed to Chatwood, who covered the plate, just in time to nail Bradley.
Drake Britton will be the new Boston pitcher in the bottom of the seventh.
End 6th, Rockies 4-0: David Ortiz doesn’t play much first base. But he seems to handle himself OK when he’s thrust into defensive action.
Todd Helton singled into right field with one out in the sixth inning. It only added to the love fest that’s understandably going on in Colorado these days.
Corey Dickerson took aim at Ortiz down at first base with two outs, but Big Papi was up to the challenge. Ortiz dropped to his knees while snagging the line drive to end the inning.
Mid 6th, Rockies 4-0: Tyler Chatwood has been in cruise control.
Chatwood tossed another perfect frame in the sixth. He took care of Daniel Nava, Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz in order.
Nava and Pedroia grounded out before Ortiz gave one a ride to center field. Charlie Blackmon drifted back to retire Ortiz.
Chatwood has given up just two hits through six innings of work. The Red Sox haven’t had a runner advance past second base.
Chatwood has thrown 81 pitches (49 strikes) thus far.
End 5th, Rockies 4-0: John Lackey has been victimized by the long ball. Other than that, he hasn’t been all that bad.
Lackey enjoyed a 1-2-3 inning in the fifth. The Rockies have five hits total and three have been home runs.
Charlie Blackmon led off the bottom of the fifth with a fly ball to right field. Shane Victorino took care of it for the first out.
Lackey struck out DJ LeMahieu swinging for the second out. LeMahieu chased a cutter out of the zone.
Troy Tulowitzki grounded to his shortstop counterpart for the third and final out of the inning.
Mid 5th, Rockies 4-0: The Red Sox haven’t been able to do much offensively. The Sox got their first runner to second base since the first inning in the fifth, but they again failed to score.
Jackie Bradley Jr. singled with one out in the fifth. Bradley, who fouled a ball off his ankle area in his last at-bat, was wearing a protective guard this time around. It didn’t hinder him, though.
Bradley moved up to second base with John Lackey batting. Tyler Chatwood’s pitch traveled to the backstop, but Bradley was already off on the pitch, so he was credited with a stolen base.
Lackey ended up striking out swinging, making Red Sox pitchers now 0-for-23. Shane Victorino ended the mini threat with a line drive right at Charlie Blackmon in center field.
End 4th, Rockies 4-0: The Rockies are teeing off at Coors Field.
John Lackey picked up back-to-back strikeouts to begin the bottom of the fourth inning. Todd Helton, who received another standing ovation, went down swinging on a cutter, and Nolan Arenado fanned on a 2-2 fastball.
Corey Dickerson didn’t waste much time launching a vintage Coors Field homer. He lifted the second pitch he saw into the air in right field. The ball kept carrying and landed beyond the fence for Dickerson’s fifth home run of the season.
Lackey then walked Jordan Pacheco in an eight-pitch battle. Pitcher Tyler Chatwood ended the inning with a grounder to short that Stephen Drew took care of.
Mid 4th, Rockies 3-0: Dustin Pedroia reached to begin the fourth inning. The Red Sox couldn’t build on the hit, though.
David Ortiz and Jarrod Saltalamacchia both put the ball on the ground in the infield, but the Rockies were unable to turn a double play in either instance. The result was a pair of forceouts at second base.
Stephen Drew ended the inning with a ground ball to second base.
End 3rd, Rockies 3-0: Troy Tulowitzki flashed some leather in the first inning. He made an impact with his lumber in the third inning.
Tulowitzki drilled a two-out home run to center field. The ball traveled a long way in the high Rocky Mountain altitude and landed about 15 rows up in center field. It was Tulo’s 25th homer of the season.
Charlie Blackmon and DJ LeMahieu grounded out prior to Tulowitzki’s dinger. Michael Cuddyer struck out swinging to end the inning.
Mid 3rd, Rockies 2-0: Red Sox pitchers are now 0-for-22 at the plate.
John Lackey led off the third inning and worked himself into a hitter-friendly 3-1 count. He then took a big cut at a fastball from Tyler Chatwood and popped it up behind the second base bag.
Shane Victorino and Daniel Nava ended the inning with a pair of flyouts to Corey Dickerson in left field.
End 2nd, Rockies 2-0: Nice bounce-back inning for John Lackey.
Corey Dickerson, Jordan Pacheco and pitcher Tyler Chatwood went down in order against the right-hander in the second.
Dickerson grounded to the left side, where Will Middlebrooks took care of it for the second out. Middlebrooks was also tested on a ground ball from Pacheco, and he made a nice play for out No. 2.
Chatwood struck out swinging to end the inning.
Mid 2nd, Rockies 2-0: Tyler Chatwood retired the side in order in the second inning.
Stephen Drew, Will Middlebrooks and Jackie Bradley Jr. went down 1-2-3. Drew lined to left field, Middlebrooks struck out swinging and Bradley put the ball on the ground.
Bradley was a bit shaken up after fouling a ball off, but he stated that everything was OK after John Farrell checked on him.
End 1st, Rockies 2-0: John Lackey carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning of his last start. He gave up a home run on his third pitch of this one.
Charlie Blackmon turned on a 1-1 fastball. He hooked it right down the right field line for a solo homer. It was Blackmon’s sixth blast of the season.
Lackey rebounded for two straight outs before Michael Cuddyer — who is going after a batting title — hit a line drive to deep right field. Shane Victorino raced back, but the ball got up over his glove and bounced up against the wall. Cuddyer cruised into second base with a double, although it’s a play that we’ve seen Victorino make this season.
Todd Helton drove in Cuddyer with a single into left field. Helton, who is in the midst of his farewell tour, received a standing ovation before his first-inning at-bat. Expect that trend to continue throughout the series.
Mid 1st, 0-0: Daniel Nava got plunked in the first inning. The Red Sox couldn’t capitalize with him in scoring position, though.
Shane Victorino led off with a chopper down to third base. Nolan Arenado took care of it for the first out of the night.
Nava got hit on the back of the leg with one out. He moved up to second base when Dustin Pedroia grounded to short. Troy Tulowitzki, who is a terrific defender, made a nice backhanded stop before firing to first.
Tyler Chatwood opted to put David Ortiz on intentionally after falling behind the slugger. The right-hander took his chances with Jarrod Saltalamacchia and came out on top. Salty hit a chopper to Tulo for the third out.
8:42 p.m.: Shane Victorino takes a first-pitch ball. The action has begun in Colorado.
7:40 p.m.: This week could be a big one for Jackie Bradley Jr. While he might be a long shot for Boston’s playoff roster, there’s still an outside chance. The most likely scenario is that it comes down to him or speedster Quintin Berry. For more, check out the link below.
Click here for more on Bradley >>
7:32 p.m.: The final round of NESN.com’s “Boston’s Best Newcomer” tournament kicked off Tuesday. Koji Uehara is going up against Stephen Drew. Everyone’s encouraged to vote at the link below.
Click here to vote >>
7:06 p.m.: This marks John Lackey’s first start since he pitched Boston into the postseason last Thursday. Lackey went the distance in that outing while guiding the Red Sox to a 3-1, playoff-clinching victory over the Orioles.
Jon Lester figures to take the ball in Game 1 of the ALDS on Oct. 4. It’s still unclear how the rest of the rotation will shake out, but there’s a chance that Lackey could get the nod in Game 2.
Going with Lackey would really make sense if Game 2 takes place in Boston. The right-hander finished the year with a 2.47 ERA at Fenway Park. That’s the third-lowest home mark in the AL.
6:40 p.m.: Shane Victorino will slide back into the leadoff spot Tuesday. Dustin Pedroia had been occupying that spot in the lineup recently, but Pedey will move back to his traditional No. 3 spot.
David Ortiz will bust out the first baseman’s mitt for Tuesday’s game. Mike Napoli will get another day of rest in the series opener in Colorado.
Tuesday’s complete lineups are below.
Red Sox (95-62)
Shane Victorino, CF
Daniel Nava, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, 1B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Stephen Drew, SS
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
John Lackey, RHP (10-12, 3.44 ERA)
Rockies (71-86)
Charlie Blackmon, CF
DJ LeMahieu, 2B
Troy Tulowitzki, SS
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Todd Helton, 1B
Nolan Arenado, 3B
Corey Dickerson, LF
Jordan Pacheco, C
Tyler Chatwood, RHP (7-5, 3.36 ERA)
8 a.m. ET: Five games separate the Red Sox from the postseason.
The Red Sox will kick off a quick two-game series in Colorado on Tuesday, and John Lackey will get the start. Boston’s original plan called for Jake Peavy to pitch Tuesday and for Wednesday’s starter to be determined, but John Farrell ultimately decided to have Lackey pitch in Colorado rather than only having him pitch during the final series in Baltimore. (Peavy will pitch Wednesday with Lackey pitching Tuesday. Clay Buchholz, Jon Lester and Lackey will then pitch Friday through Sunday, in order that order.)
For the Red Sox, it’s all about securing home-field advantage at this point. They own a one-game lead over the Athletics for the best record in the American League, which means that they control their own destiny over the final week of the regular season. Since Boston owns the best home record in the AL, locking up home-field advantage would be huge.
Tuesday’s first pitch in Colorado is scheduled for 8:40 p.m. ET. Tune in on NESN, and keep it right here with NESN.com.
