BSJ Game Report: Red Sox 6, Rockies 3 - Boston returns to win column, thanks to Whitlock and explosive seventh inning

All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' win over the Rockies, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:

BOX SCORE

HEADLINES

Offense wakes up late to power win: The Red Sox returned to the win column, salvaging a victory from their three-game set against the Rockies with Wednesday’s 6-3 result. The Boston bats exploded in the bottom of the seventh inning, putting up five runs on five hits after just one on four through the first six innings. 

Whitlock with another quality start: Garrett Whitlock went seven innings strong, posting consecutive quality starts for the second time in his career. Surrendered just two runs on six hits with one walk, and worked very efficiently, facing 12 batters from the first through fifth innings without allowing a hit. 

TURNING POINT

Bottom of the seventh: Kiké Hernández and Triston Casas got it started with back-to-back singles before Connor Wong’s eight-pitch walk loaded the bases for Pablo Reyes’ sacrifice fly to tie the game, 2-2. From there, Boston was off and running, thanks to a two-RBI triple for Rob Refsnyder for a 4-2 lead. An RBI single for Justin Turner and an RBI double for Alex Verdugo made for an exclamation point at 6-2. 

FOUR UP

Garrett Whitlock: One of Whitlock’s best outings of the season. He was efficient, needing just 92 pitches to get through seven, and threw 72 for strikes. Had nine whiffs on his changeup, plus 13 called strikes and whiffs on both the sinker and changeup. 

Alex Verdugo: Started the game with a strong play in right to gun down Tovar and prevent a run in the top of the first, then drove in a run with a single in the bottom of the inning. Added a pair of doubles to finish 3-for-4 with two RBI.

Rob Refsnyder: Refsnyder again knocked left-handed pitching around, going 2-for-3 with a triple, a walk, a stolen base, two runs and two RBI. Added solid defense in left. 

Josh Winckowski: Shut the door on the Rockies in two innings of relief to close the game, giving up one run on one hit with a walk and a strikeout. Pounded the zone, throwing 17 of 21 pitches for strikes. Reset and locked in to close out the ninth after giving up the walk and single. 

ONE ‘MEH’ 

Alex Cora: The big seventh inning saved Cora from a ‘Down.’ Even with the matchup against the left-handed pitcher, the call to sit Rafael Devers, in the midst of a heater, and Boston’s most consistent hitter Masataka Yoshida before an off day was puzzling. Take Gomber’s inflated ERA, his struggles against lefties, who are slashing .377/.443/.717/1.160 against him, plus what was looking like another anemic night at the plate, and it makes for a giant question mark on the skipper’s decision to sit the two best bats. 

ONE DOWN

Adam Duvall: Went 0-for-4 at the plate with a pair of strikes as the DH, capping off a 1-for-12 series with five Ks. Clearly needs more time to get up for speed, hitting .111 (2-for-18) since making his return. 

NOTABLE

Boston snapped a five-game losing streak at Fenway. 

It was just their fifth win when trailing after six innings this season (5-29). 

Sox pitchers have not allowed a home run in four straight games and 11 of 14. 

Starters have a 3.55 ERA in 26 starts, going back to May 17, allowing two or fewer earned runs in 19 of those contests. 

QUOTE OF NOTE

“For a while,” Cora said of how long he’s been waiting for an inning like the seventh. “We put good at-bats, and the walks and hitting the ball the other way. … The one thing about all this stuff is we’re pitching. That’s the cool thing about it. Earlier in the season, we didn’t pitch, but we were hitting. Obviously, over 162, if you pitch, you’re going to have a chance. You saw [Whitlock] today. You saw [Winckowski]. That’s nine innings from two kids, and they did a good job. So, enjoy the off day and be ready for Friday.” 

UP NEXT

The Sox are off on Thursday before they welcome the rival Yankees for a three-game set at Fenway. Friday’s first pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. RHP Tanner Houck (3-6, 5.23 ERA) will face RHP Domingo German (4-3, 3.49 ERA).