Back above water, Red Sox host lowly Rockies

The Boston Red Sox look to carry their winning ways back home when they begin the final seven-game homestand before the All-Star break with the first of a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies on Monday night.

Boston has won six of its last eight following a holiday weekend sweep at the Washington Nationals with a 6-4 Sunday victory, moving back above the .500 mark for the season.

"This is what we're trying to do every series," Red Sox outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela said. "We needed those three."

Hitting out of the No. 9 hole in the lineup, Rafaela sparked the Red Sox with a 3-for-4 Sunday performance that included a double and his 11th home run of the season. Trevor Story also went deep earlier in the game.

The young Rafaela is not a Boston newcomer, but it was also a memorable Sunday for three who are. Third baseman Alex Bregman, reliever Aroldis Chapman and starter Garrett Crochet -- who earned his ninth win of the season on the mound -- were all named American League All-Stars in their first Red Sox seasons.

"In a short period of time, they have impacted this organization on the field and off the field," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "They are really good at what they do. What they've done in the clubhouse, the way they've prepared, the way they go about their business is amazing and I am very proud of them."

Ahead of his 12th career major league start and first against the Rockies, Boston's Richard Fitts (0-3, 4.50 ERA) remains in search of his first win after having his Tuesday start against the Cincinnati Reds suspended due to rain. He pitched three innings of one-run ball.

The Rockies -- who are on a historically bad pace at 21-69 overall -- visit Boston having won three of their last seven games, including beating the Chicago White Sox 6-4 on Sunday. Mickey Moniak's three hits and three RBIs led the way, while Michael Toglia hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the fifth inning -- his 10th of the season and first since June 18.

"I think we are playing better baseball now, and I've said that for the past month," Moniak said. "We are out there trying to win baseball games now, instead of trying not to lose."

The leadoff-hitting Moniak finished a double shy of the cycle on Sunday and is now on a six-game hit streak. He has homered twice in his first five July games.

"He's got a slow heartbeat," Colorado interim manager Warren Schaeffer said. "He's just a good baseball player and he keeps progressing in the right direction, which is promising."

The Rockies will give the ball to left-hander Austin Gomber (0-1, 5.49), who makes his fifth start since being activated from a stint on the injured list (left shoulder soreness) that cost him the first two-plus months of the season.

Gomber is still seeking his first win of 2025 but worked five innings for the third time in four starts last Wednesday against the Houston Astros. He worked around eight hits to allow only two runs in a no-decision.

The southpaw is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in two career starts against Boston.