Red Sox 10, Rockies 2

 

Another blow-out win, and fifth straight victory for the Sox! Brayan Bello (5-3, 3.27) goes full Maddox and pitches nine complete innings, striking out ten and walking only one. Okay, he gave up a two-run homer in the top of the ninth, but then got outs on three of the net four batters, two of those on Ks. The Boston batters hit for the cycle, with Story, Duran, and Anthony singling, Rafaela doubling, González hitting a triple, and Story and Duran both homering in the seventh. 

At 48-45, the Sox are 6.5 games back from AL East-leading Toronto, exactly halfway between first and last place. They're one game back from qualifying for a playoff spot. 

Tonight, the Sox have a chance for completing back-to-back sweeps for the first time this season, with Giolito (5-1, 3.66) against somebody named Antonio Senzatela  (3-12, 6.57). But after tonight's finale with the Rockies, things will get tougher, with four games against Tampa Bay (49-43)  and then, after the All-Star break, road series at the Cubs (54-37) and the Phillies (53-39), and then back home to host the Dodgers (56-37). 

Yikes!