Tovar's single in 12th gives Rockies 9-8 win, extending Red Sox skid to 4

DENVER (AP) — Ezequiel Tovar singled home the winning run with the bases loaded and two outs in the 12th inning Monday night to give the Colorado Rockies a 9-8 victory over Boston, handing the Red Sox their fourth straight defeat since the All-Star break.

“A little Michael Jordan flu game for Tovey tonight,” said teammate Sam Hilliard, whose two-run homer with one out in the 10th tied it at 7.

“Stud. He wasn't in the lineup last night because he was sick. He was good enough to play tonight. To get the game-winning knock right there, you could just tell he was grinding. So just the heart he showed tonight was sick, honestly. It was great."

Jake Cave singled off rookie Bailey Horn (0-1) to drive in Brendan Rodgers with the tying run with no outs in the 12th.

Cave took second when charging left fielder Tyler O'Neill let the ball get past him for an error, and Jacob Stallings was intentionally walked to bring up Hilliard, who sacrificed the runners up a base. After Aaron Schunk was intentionally walked, Horn struck out Charlie Blackmon before being replaced by Chase Anderson.

Tovar had three hits to extend his hitting streak to nine games. Blackmon had two hits, including his seventh homer, and the last-place Rockies won for the fourth time in five games.

“It was going to be a tough loss for whoever lost that one,” Colorado manager Bud Black said. “Our guys endured. Showed a lot of resolve. A couple of big swings.”

Justin Lawrence (3-3) worked two innings for the win.

Wilyer Abreu’s two-out RBI single in the top of the 12th gave Boston an 8-7 lead. The Red Sox are playing without closer Kenley Jansen, who will miss the series because of health concerns related to the Denver altitude.

Boston manager Alex Cora was ejected after the 11th inning.

“We didn't agree with the 2-2 pitch to Stallings,” said Cora. "They (the umpires) have the toughest job in baseball."

Stallings lined out to second for the first out of the 10th before Hilliard homered off Zack Kelly.

“I was just trying to tell myself to shorten up and don't do too much, and I was able to put the barrel on it and it went,” said Hilliard, who has three homers in 36 at-bats since being added June 21.

“There is no quit in these guys. We're never going to lie down. We feel we can compete and beat anybody. Play spoiler, whatever you want to call it.”

Boston grounded into double plays in the eighth, ninth and 11th, the first two ending an inning.

Pinch-hitter Dominic Smith doubled in the first run and Rafael Devers added a sacrifice fly in Boston's two-run 10th for a 7-5 lead, but Hilliard tied the game on a 450-foot homer with one out in the bottom half.

O’Neill had three hits for the Red Sox, who were swept at Dodger Stadium last weekend but are 29-21 on the road, the third-best record in the majors.

“It's been a tough four games for us, but that's all it's been," O'Neill said. "We're just one swing away, one out away, in all these games here. It's just one of those stretches. We have confidence in ourselves.”

Boston starter Tanner Houck gave up four runs and 10 hits in six innings. He entered with a 2.54 ERA, fourth-lowest in the majors.

Blackmon hit a two-run homer off Houck in Colorado's four-run third. Boston came back with four runs in the fifth behind Jamie Westbrook's three-run homer off Austin Gomber. Westbrook is in his 11th pro season, his first in the majors.

“All in all, stuff was just kind of flat,” said Houck, who made his first appearance at Coors Field. “Not as sharp as it usually was. Ultimately, it comes down to executing a little better, a little finer.”

Gomber gave up four runs and six hits, five in the fifth. He struck out five and walked one in 5 2/3 innings.

“I made one bad pitch and gave up a three-run homer,” Gomber said. “It's the best I've thrown the ball since 2021, stuff-wise.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Red Sox: SS Trevor Story (left shoulder) received a standing ovation in his return to Coors Field for the first time since signing with Boston before the 2022 season. He is expected to miss the rest of the season but said he “possibly” could return by the end of the year. … RHP Justin Slaten (right elbow inflammation) played catch but is not expected to be activated when eligible to return Thursday.

Rockies: 1B Kris Bryant (bruised rib, oblique strain) went through a full pregame workout at Coors Field and could be activated Tuesday. Bryant was 5 for 5 with a 384-foot homer and four singles in his last rehab game for Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday. He has not played in the majors since June 2. … C Elias Diaz (right calf strain) missed his second straight game. … All-Star 3B Ryan McMahon (jammed finger) was held out of the starting lineup. ... Tovar returned to the lineup after missing Sunday’s game with the flu.

UP NEXT

LHP Ty Blach (3-5, 5.46 ERA) pitches Tuesday for the Rockies after scheduled starter Germán Márquez was placed on the injured list Monday. The Red Sox had not announced a starter.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Zack Kelly works against the Colorado Rockies in the ninth inning of a baseball game Monday, July 22, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Boston Red Sox's Connor Wong celebrates as he circles the bases after hitting a solo home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Jalen Beeks in the eighth inning of a baseball game Monday, July 22, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Chase Anderson heads to the dugout after giving up a walkoff RBI single to Colorado Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar in the 12th inning of a baseball game Monday, July 22, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Jacob Stallings gestures to the dugout after reaching second base on an RBI double off Boston Red Sox pitcher Josh Winckowski in the seventh inning of a baseball game Monday, July 22, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Jacob Stallings follows the flight of his RBI double off Boston Red Sox pitcher Josh Winckowski in the seventh inning of a baseball game Monday, July 22, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora, left, argues with home plate umpire Mark Wegner, front right, and third base umpire Bruce Dreckman in the 11th inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Monday, July 22, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Charlie Blackmon, back, douses Ezequiel Tovar after his walkoff RBI single off Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Chase Anderson in the 12th inning of a baseball game Monday, July 22, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Charlie Blackmon, back, douses Ezequiel Tovar after his walkoff RBI single off Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Chase Anderson in the 12th inning of a baseball game Monday, July 22, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar smiles as he gestures to the dugout while heading up the first-base line after hitting a walkoff RBI single off Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Chase Anderson in the 12th inning of a baseball game Monday, July 22, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jaguars defensive tackle Jordan Davis and safety Jessie Bates III, both acquired via trades this week, won't play at Tennessee on Sunday.

Coach Liam Coen made the announcement Friday, saying Davis and Bates will get the weekend off primarily because neither has had a bye week.

“Want to be able to make sure that we’re (taking into account) player safety, putting them in a position to succeed, learn the system and just give those guys a week to be able to do that,” Coen said.

Jacksonville (6-2) swapped two draft picks for each player a day before Tuesday's trade deadline. The Jaguars already had their bye and close the season with nine consecutive games. Davis came from Philadelphia, which is on its bye. And Bates came from Atlanta, which has a bye next week.

So Coen decided the team would be best served by giving both players a weekend off and more time to get acclimated to new surroundings and a new defensive scheme. Neither newcomer practiced Wednesday or Thursday.

Defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, acquired from New Orleans the same day as Jordan and Bates, is expected to play against the Titans (1-7). Godchaux and the Saints had Week 8 off.

“Jessie Bates has been here 'til about 10:30 every night,” Coen said. "It’s been pretty cool seeing him in there learning, grinding, working through it. There’s obviously so much that safeties have to be able to communicate and operate within the back end of the entire structure.

“I’ve really appreciated the way he, Jordan and Davon have all gone through the work week. Obviously Davon and Jesse have been through different organizations, teams, moves. This is new for Jordan, and I think he’s worked his tail off with strength and conditioning and sports science, athletic training guys this week, and he’s putting his best foot forward to hopefully be able to get out there next week for us.”

The Jags gave up a 2027 first-round draft pick and a 2029 second-rounder for Davis, who is expected to replace injured defensive tackle Davon Hamilton (knee/quad). They gave up a 2027 second-rounder and a 2028 fifth-rounder for Bates, who will step in for Eric Murray (elbow). Hamilton and Murray are out for the season.

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Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis (90) hits New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy (18) in the head during the first half of an NFL football game in Philadelphia, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)