O'Neill's 2 HRs, Criswell's 7 shutout innings lead Red Sox over Rockies, 6-0
By MICHAEL KELLY Associated Press
DENVER - Tyler O'Neill homered twice, Cooper Criswell tossed seven shutout innings, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Colorado Rockies 6-0 on Tuesday night to snap a four-game skid.
O'Neill hit a two-run shot in the first inning and then crushed an 89-mph sinker from Ty Blach (3-6) 465 feet to the concourse in left field in the third inning to give the Red Sox a 6-0 lead.
He came to bat in the fourth with the bases loaded but reliever Anthony Molina struck him out with a 2-2 curveball to end the inning.
Criswell (4-4) struck out four, scattered five hits and threw a career-high 105 pitches. Colorado started the sixth with two singles but Criswell got Brendan Rodgers to hit into a double play and Brenton Doyle to ground out.
The longest outing of Criswell's career gave Boston's tired bullpen a needed break, and he got a loud ovation from the numerous Red Sox fans as he walked to the dugout after the seventh inning.
Boston got a scare when third baseman Rafael Devers stayed down after making a diving attempt at Ezequiel Tovar's line-drive single in the sixth. Devers was holding his right shoulder as he sat in the infield but stayed in the game after getting checked out by a trainer.
Kris Bryant rejoined Colorado's lineup after being activated from the 10-day injured list. The 2016 NL MVP batted fifth and played right field. He made a running catch on Rob Refsnyder's tailing drive down the line in the first inning.
Bryant struck out twice, walked and grounded out to end the game.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Red Sox: RHP Chris Martin (right elbow inflammation) could start throwing this weekend, manager Alex Cora said. Martin has been out since July 4 and had a setback prior to the All-Star break.
Rockies: C Elias Díaz (right calf) returned to the lineup after missing the previous two games. He doubled in three at-bats. ... 3B Ryan McMahon (hand) was out of the starting lineup for the second straight game.
UP NEXT
Boston will wrap up the series with RHP Nick Pivetta (4-6, 3.87 ERA) facing Rockies RHP Cal Quantrill (6-7, 4.15) on Wednesday.