Rockies at Red Sox
A two-game interleague series between the Colorado Rockies and Boston Red Sox features the four players with the most extra-base hits in the majors since 2015. Colorado's duo did its part in the series opener, negating a record-setting effort by Boston's pitching staff and putting the Rockies in position to complete a two-game sweep of the host Red Sox on Wednesday night.
Nolan Arenado, who has a majors-best 359 extra-base hits in the past four-plus seasons, and Charlie Blackmon -- tied for third with J.D. Martinez -- each swatted two-run homers as Colorado snapped Boston's five-game winning streak. Mark Reynolds' 11th-inning RBI single was the difference in the 5-4 victory for the Rockies, who prevailed despite tying a franchise mark by striking out a staggering 24 times. Rookie Michael Chavis, Martinez and Rafael Devers hit solo homers for the Red Sox, who were unable to protect a three-run lead and suffered only their third defeat in 14 games. Boston lost despite setting a major league record by registering 21 strikeouts in nine innings, including 17 from ace Chris Sale -- the most ever recorded by a pitcher in seven frames.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado), NESN (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH German Marquez (4-2, 3.43 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Eduardo Rodriguez (4-2, 4.53)
Marquez tied a season high by giving up 10 hits but he managed to limit the damage to two runs while striking out seven over 5 2/3 innings in a victory over the San Diego Padres last time out. It marked only the third time in nine starts this season that the 24-year-old Venezuelan failed to pitch six innings, although he was tagged for nine runs and three homers over his previous two turns. Marquez is 2-1 with a 1.55 ERA and .125 batting average against in four starts away from Coors Field.
Rodriguez has shown steady improvement since he was rocked for 12 runs and 16 hits in losing his first two starts of the season and is coming off his best effort, tossing seven scoreless innings against Seattle on Friday to hike his record to 4-0 in his last six turns. It was the third time in four starts he allowed one run or less and marked the fourth time during his unbeaten streak that he worked six innings. Rodriguez is 3-0 in four home starts, holding opposing hitters to a .193 batting average.
WALK-OFFS
1. Devers is 13-for-27 with two homers and eight RBIs during a six-game hitting streak.
2. Blackmon has four homers in the past three games and six blasts and 12 RBIs during an 11-game hitting streak.
3. Boston LHP David Price (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday before a decision is made on his next start.