COLORADO ROCKIES NOTES:
WICKED
- The Colorado Rockies continue their 10-game road trip tonight with the second of three games at Fenway Park … following this series, will travel to Atlanta for four games followed by Cincinnati for three … this is the first of two 10-game road trips for the Rockies this season (also: Aug. 4-13).
- The Rockies are in a stretch of 16-straight days with a game, and 33 games in 34 day overall from May 19-June 21 … are 9-15 through the first 23 games of this stretch.
NIGHT CAP
- The Rockies snapped their six-game losing streak and avoided a winless homestand with their walk-off win over the Padres Sunday … tied the game in the eighth on a Coco Montes two-run home run in his Major League debut, tied it again in the ninth on a Ryan McMahon home run, and then walked it off two batters and an 85-minute rain delay later on a Nolan Jones solo home run … it’s the first time in franchise history that the Rockies hit game-tying home runs in both the eighth and ninth innings and followed with a walk-off home run, and the first time any team in the Majors has done this since San Diego on May 25, 2008 vs. Cincinnati.
- The Rockies won in the 10th inning at Fenway last night, scoring twice in the final frame without the benefit of a hit … the game was delayed 89 minutes in the top of the 10th inning after the Rockies scored the go-ahead run.
- Last night’s extra-inning game snapped a franchise-record streak of 78 games without extra innings for the Rockies dating back to Sept. 23, 2022 … their 67 games to begin a season without an extra-inning game marked the third-longest such stretch since 1901, trailing Boston in 2005 (98 games) and the White Sox in 2002 (69 games).
- The last time the Rockies won consecutive games with the winning run coming in the ninth inning or later was Sept. 15-17, 2021.
JONES JIVING
- Nolan Jones’ walk-off home run Sunday was the first of his career, and the first walk-off home run by a Rockie since Elias Díaz on Sept. 9, 2022 … measured at 472 feet, it’s the longest walk-off home run in baseball in the Statcast Era (since 2015) and the eighth-longest overall in the Majors this season.
- The home run was Jones’ fourth of the season, his second over his last three games and third in his last six overall … also hit a 483-foot home run last Wednesday, the second-longest home run in the Majors this season … is the only player in the Majors with two of the 10 longest home runs in baseball this season.
- The home run last Wednesday was measured at 114.2 mph off the bat, the third-hardest hit home run by a Rockies player in the Statcast Era (since 2015), trailing two Carlos González home runs hit in 2016 (117.4 mph, June 4 at Arizona) and 2018 (114.4 mph, July 31 at Cincinnati).
- Since his recall from Triple-A on May 26, the 25-year-old is slashing .333/.390/.630 with four doubles, four home runs, 12 RBI and four stolen bases … he joins Ellis Burks in 1994 as the only players to slash at least .333/.390/.630 or better in their first 16 games with the Rockies (min. 50 at-bats).
- Jones also stole a base in four-straight games June 6-9, the longest stolen base streak for a Rockies player since Charlie Blackmon stole a base in five-straight June 11-15, 2011.
MAC ATTACK
- Ryan McMahon has reached base in 18 of his last 20 with nine multi-hit games since May 23 … is slashing .351/.438/.688 with six doubles, one triple, six home runs, 19 RBI and 11 walks over that span … ranks second in the NL in RBI and OPS (1.127), third in extra-base hits, tied for fourth in hits and tied for fifth in home runs since May 23 … his 19 doubles on the season are tied for fourth in the NL.
- McMahon’s 2.0 WAR (Baseball Reference) ranks first among NL players with at least 50% of their games at third base this season … his nine defensive runs saved at third base also the second-most among third basemen (via. Sports Info Solutions).
- Since moving from second base to third base on April 18, McMahon has slashed .281/.357/.503 with 16 doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 29 RBI.
WAY DOWN IN COCOMO
- Infielder Coco Montes went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in his Major League debut on Sunday … hit a game-tying two-run home run in the eighth inning … became the ninth Rockies player to homer in their Major League debut (last: Sam Hilliard, Aug. 27, 2019 vs. Boston), the first to hit a game-tying or go-ahead homer in the eighth inning or later in their debut … is the first Major Leaguer to do so since Ke’Bryan Hayes on Sept. 1, 2020 vs. Chicago-NL.
BABY GOT BACKSTOP
- Rockies catcher Elias Díaz’s .294 batting average ranks ninth in the National League and is the highest among all MLB catchers … his .336 (36-for-107) average at home is the sixth-highest in the Majors while his .379 (22-for-58) average with runners in scoring position is the sixth-highest in the NL.
- Has appeared in 55 games at catcher, the second-most in the Majors … his 12 catcher caught stealing are tied for the second-most in the Majors.
D-FENCE
- Catcher Elias Díaz’s 1.1 defensive WAR (Baseball Reference) is tied for the sixth-highest among all players,
the best among all catchers … 3B Ryan McMahon’s 1.0 dWAR is tied for the eighth-best among all
position players, second-best among third basemen
… SS Ezequiel Tovar’s 0.9 dWAR is tied the seventh-best the NL.
ROCKIES STARTING PITCHER – #45 CHASE ANDERSON RHP
HEADING OUT WEST
- Chase Anderson will make his sixth start in a Rockies uniform tonight after being claimed off of waivers from Tampa Bay on May 12.
- Designated for assignment by Tampa Bay on May 10 … was acquired by Tampa Bay via trade with Cincinnati in exchange for cash considerations
on May 3. - Was signed by the Reds to a Minor League contract on Feb. 20 after spending the 2022 season with the club.
ONE GIANT STEP
- Made his 11th career start against San Francisco last time out … went 5.1 innings and allowed three runs on six hits and one walk, with a season-high seven strikeouts … did not factor in the 6-4 loss.
CHASE THE ACE
- Has pitched at least five innings and allowed three or fewer runs in each of his five starts with the Rockies, posting a 2.67 ERA (27.0 IP, 8 ER) … his ERA is the second-lowest in franchise history through a pitcher’s first five starts with the club, trailing Chad Kuhl’s 1.82 ERA through his first five starts in 2022.
- Has not received a decision in any of his five starts with the Rockies going 3-2.
- Four of his five starts came at Coors Field, where has allowed six runs across 21 innings (2.57 ERA) … ERA the seventh-best in franchise history through a Rockies pitcher’s first four starts at Coors Field.
ANNOUNCE HIS PRESENCE WITH AUTHORITY
- Made his first career start with the Rockies on May 16 vs. the Reds, drawing a no decision in a 3-1 Rockies loss … pitched five scoreless innings with one hit allowed, one walk and three strikeouts … left after five innings with the game tied 0-0.
- Became the ninth pitcher in franchise history to toss at least five scoreless innings in his first start with the club, the first since Antonio Senzatela did so in his Major League debut on April 6, 2017 … first Rockies pitcher to accomplish the feat in a home game since Drew Pomeranz on his Major League debut on Sept. 11, 2011.
THE GREAT GREEN JEWEL OF THE COMMONWEALTH
- Making his sixth start (seventh appearance) against Boston … has gone 1-0
with a 6.35 ERA (22.2 IP, 16 ER) tallying up six walks and 17 strikeouts. - In Boston, Anderson has made two starts going a combined seven innings … allowed 10 hits, seven runs, three walks, with four strikeouts … did not receive a decision in either start, both of which game in 2020.
- Last outing came on Sept. 21, 2022 … over five innings allowed three hits, one run, and one hit batter … did get the win in the 5-1 victory.
RAYS OF SUNSHINE
- Made two relief appearances for Tampa Bay on May 3 and May 9, both in relief after being acquired from Cincinnati on May 3.
- Pitched five innings without allowing a run in his relief appearances … allowed two hits and one walk, while striking out two.
- Tossed three scoreless innings on May 3 vs. Pittsburgh, garnering his first career save in an 8-1 Rays win.
BOSTON RED SOX NOTES:
STATE OF THE SOX: At 33-34 (.493), the Red Sox entered today with MLB’s 16th-best record, 9th best in the AL. Since improving to 21-14 after an 8-game winning streak from 4/29-5/6, the Sox are 12-20…They are 5-10 in their last 15 games and 3-7 in their last 10.
HOME COOKING: Last night began Boston’s 6-game homestand vs. COL (0-1) and NYY (3 games). The Red Sox are 17-17 at Fenway Park…They’re 4-10 in their last 14 games at the venue after going 11-3 in their previous 14. The Sox have scored 8 runs over their last 4 home games, after scoring 28 runs in their previous 4. The Sox have hit 2 HR in their last 5 home games, after hitting 8 HR in their previous 5.
RED SOX OFFENSE IN HOME GAMES
Stat MLB Rank
5.6 R/game 4th
10.0 H/game T-1st
3.9 XBH/game 1st
119 wRC+ 5th
Stat MLB Rank
.287 AVG 2nd
.356 OBP 2nd
.471 SLG 4th
.827 OPS 3rd
SERIES BUSINESS: The Red Sox defeated the Yankees in a 3-game series over the weekend, improving to 12-8-1 in series play and snapping a 3-series losing streak…Prior to that streak, they had not lost consecutive series all season. With a loss tonight or tomorrow, the Sox would fall to 12-9-1 in series play, including 2-5 in their last 7. 4 of the Red Sox’ 8 series losses have been sweeps (0-3 vs. PIT, 0-4 at TB, 0-3 vs. STL, 0-3 at LAA).
NO TIME TO REST: The Red Sox are in a stretch of playing 13 games in 12 days from 6/3-14 (doubleheader on 6/3)… They are scheduled to play 23 games in 23 days from 6/3-25. The Sox are in a stretch of playing 15 consecutive night games from 6/6-21.
SOX & ROCKIES: Since Interleague play began in 1997, the Red Sox are 13-11 against the Rockies (8-6 at Fenway Park). In 9 series vs. COL, the Red Sox are 4-3-2…The Sox are 3-1-1 in 5 series against the Rockies at Fenway Park. The teams last met in 2019, when the Rockies visited Fenway Park for a 2-game series from 5/14-15 and the Red Sox visited Coors Field for 2 games from 8/27-28. Since 2013, the Sox are 5-3 in 8 home games vs. COL.
WILD WEST: The Red Sox are 65-44 (.596) against NL West opponents since Interleague play began in 1997…They are 44-25 (.638) vs. the NL West since the start of 2010. The Sox have won both their series against NL West opponents this season (2-1 at SD, 2-1 at ARI).
NATIONAL AFFAIRS: The Red Sox are an MLB-best 297-209 (.588) all time in Interleague play, but 10-14 this season. The Sox are 4-3-1 in Interleague series this year…They’ve lost all 3 previous home series against NL teams, going 1-9 in those games (0-4 vs. PIT, 0-3 vs. STL, 1-2 vs. CIN).
START ME UP: Beginning 5/17, Red Sox starting pitchers rank 4th in the majors with a 3.42 ERA (46 ER/121.0 IP)… They allowed 2 ER or fewer in 18 of those 24 games. The Sox are 14-6 (.700) when their starting pitcher throws 6.0+ innings…They are 27-20 (.574) when their starter throws 5.0+ innings. Sox starters have tossed quality starts in a season-high 4 straight games (previous: 8/12-16/22)…Their last stretch of 5-straight quality starts was from 6/1-6/22.
RED SOX STARTERS, LAST 4 GAMES
Pitcher IP H R ER BB SO
Garrett Whitlock (Fri. at NYY) 6.1 7 2 1 1 6
Tanner Houck (Sat. at NYY) 6.0 3 2 2 1 6
Brayan Bello (Sun. at NYY) 7.0 3 2 2 2 3
James Paxton (Mon. vs. COL) 6.0 4 1 0 1 8
WHAT A RELIEF: Over the Red Sox’ last 4 games, Red Sox relievers have allowed 2 earned runs in 11.2 IP (1.54 ERA). In their last 25 games, beginning 5/16, Red Sox relievers rank 7th in MLB with a 3.69 ERA (38 ER/92.2 IP).
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Red Sox lost the series opener vs. COL in 10 innings last night, 4-3…The game was delayed for 89 minutes in the top of the 10th inning due to weather in the area (10:10 p.m.-11:39 p.m.). James Paxton allowed 1 run (0 ER) in 6.0 IP, his 1st start with 0 ER since 9/21/19 vs. TOR with NYY. Justin Turner (2-for-3, 2B, BB) hit an RBI double in the 6th inning to tie the game, 1-1…Christian Arroyo (2-for-4, 2B, HR) hit a solo HR in the 7th inning to give the Sox a 2-1 lead.
BONUS BASEBALL: Last night marked the Red Sox’ 1st loss of the season in extra innings (entered 3-0)…Their 3-1 record in extras ranks T-4th in MLB behind LAD (2-0), COL (1-0), and MIL (4-1). The Red Sox have played back-to-back extra-inning games for the 1st time since 8/24-25/22.
The Sox haven’t gone to extra innings in 3 straight games since 6/25-28/2000…They haven’t done so on 3 consecutive days since 5/10-12/1996.
CLOSE SHAVES: 13 of the Red Sox’ last 16 games have been decided by 3 runs or fewer, including 10 by 1 or 2 runs. The Sox are 16-16 (.500) in games decided by 1 or 2 runs, tied with the White Sox for MLB’s 16th-best mark.
COMEBACK KIDS: The Red Sox have come from behind in 5 of their last 6 wins and 19 of their 33 wins overall, 6th most in MLB (BAL-22, LAA-22, CIN-21, MIA-20, ARI-20). Last night was the Sox’ 2nd loss of the season in which they led after 7 innings (also 5/13 vs. STL)… They have won 6 games in which they trailed after 7 innings (had 4 such wins in all of 2022). Opponents have earned only 9 comeback wins against the Red Sox, including 0 walk-off wins.
UPS AND DOWNS: The Red Sox have been held to 25 runs in their last 10 games (2, 2, 1, 5, 2, 3, 3, 1, 3, 3)…In that time, they have hit .219 with 7 HR and a .652 OPS. In their last 23 games (beginning 5/19), the Sox rank 20th in MLB in AVG (.233) and 22nd in OBP (.309)…They entered that span ranked 2nd in MLB in AVG (.272) and OBP (.342).
RED SOX OFFENSE BY DATE
Dates Record AVG OPS Runs/G
3/30-5/6 21-14 .273 .800 5.9
5/7-pres. 12-20 .243 .702 3.7
RISPY BUSINESS: In their last 10 games, the Red Sox are 13-for-88 (.148) with runners in scoring position…Overall with RISP, the Sox rank 4th in the majors in AVG (.280) and strikeout rate (19.5%), as well as 5th in OBP (.357) and 9th in OPS (.789).
TONIGHT’S STARTER: 50 KUTTER CRAWFORD – RHP
W-L ERA G GS IP ER HR BB SO WHIP AVG
2023 1-3 3.68 12 4 36.2 15 6 6 36 1.04 .227
CAREER 4-10 5.20 34 17 116.0 67 19 37 115 1.34 .262
Tonight will mark his 1st career outing vs. COL. Allowed 3 runs (2 ER) over 3.0 IP on Tuesday at CLE (5 H, 3 SO)…Started in back-to-back appearances for the first time since 4/3 vs. PIT and 4/9 at DET. In 8 relief appearances, has a 1.66 ERA, 0.69 WHIP, and .143 opponent AVG with 18 SO and 4 BB (21.2 IP, 4 ER, 11 H). Has held opponents to a .220 AVG (31-for-141). Among the 180 pitchers with at least 30.0 IP, ranks 20th in WHIP (1.01), 8th in walk rate (4.1%), and 10th in SO/BB ratio (6.00). Opponents hit only .176 against his 4-seam fastball (9-for-51, 3 XBH)…25 of his 36 strikeouts this season have been with his 4-seam fastball.
