Sonny Gray's Masterpiece
Sonny Gray Strikes Out 11 as Red Sox Defeat Rockies 5-2 with Abreu, Eaton RBIs
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Sonny Gray struck out 11 batters and allowed just one run over seven innings as the Boston Red Sox beat the Colorado Rockies 5-2 at Coors Field on June 23, 2026. Wilyer Abreu hit a triple and a home run while Nate Eaton went 3-for-4, giving Boston a much-needed win after a stunning collapse the night before. Associated Press reported the result.
The win moved Boston to 31-45 on the season — still tied with Colorado for the fewest wins in baseball, according to Essentially Sports. But for one night, Gray looked like the ace Boston will likely lose before August.
Gray Dominates With Season-High 11 Strikeouts
Gray threw 93 pitches, 65 for strikes, and struck out the side in the seventh inning to reach his season-high mark. He improved his record to 9-1 on the year. It was a commanding performance in the thin air of Coors Field, where pitching is notoriously difficult. San Mateo Daily Journal noted the efficiency of his outing.
The performance came just days after Gray told reporters he was 'open for a conversation' about a potential trade, according to The Boston Globe. Analysts at The Boston Herald have named the Braves, Padres, and Brewers as likely suitors ahead of the August 3 deadline.
Abreu and Eaton Power Boston's Offense Early
Nate Eaton, recalled from Triple-A on June 8, set the tone in the first inning. He drew a walk, stole second, and scored on Abreu's stand-up RBI triple. Eaton added an RBI single in the second and an RBI double in the sixth. His three-hit night in the leadoff spot was a bright spot for a struggling lineup, per NBC Sports.
Abreu went deep in the fifth inning for his 10th home run of the season — a solo shot to center field. The Venezuelan outfielder is hitting .276 on the year, per FOX Sports. Boston stretched the lead to 5-1 when Ceddanne Rafaela singled home Eaton in the sixth.
Boston Bounces Back After Historically Rare Collapse
The win was a direct response to one of the stranger losses in recent Red Sox history. On June 22, Colorado recorded eight consecutive hits in the eighth and ninth innings to win 3-2 on a walk-off triple by Jake McCarthy. Boston had been 30-0 when leading after eight innings before that game, according to Associated Press.
Interim manager Chad Tracy kept his comments short after the collapse. 'There's not much to say. Sometimes you've got to tip your cap. They took some good at-bats... it happened fast,' Tracy said, per Essentially Sports. Tracy took over after Alex Cora was fired on April 25 along with five members of his coaching staff.
Rockies Lean on Youth as Rebuild Takes Shape
Colorado fell to 31-48 on the season. Rookie starter Sean Sullivan took the loss, falling to 0-2 after allowing three runs over five innings in his first career start at Coors Field, per TSN. Willi Castro provided a highlight with a 435-foot solo home run to the upper deck in the second inning, per Field Level Media.
The Rockies are the youngest active roster in baseball under manager Warren Schaeffer and new President of Baseball Operations Paul DePodesta, according to Denver Gazette. Ezequiel Tovar hit a solo home run in the ninth off Garrett Whitlock, making it 5-2, but Boston closed out the game without further trouble.
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