DENVER (AP) — Mackenzie Blackwood made his second straight start for the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night but was pulled after allowing three goals in the first period.
Scott Wedgewood, who won six of his seven starts in the Stanley Cup playoffs, replaced Blackwood to start the second period with the Avalanche trailing 3-0.
Blackwood, who won Game 4 in St. Paul, Minnesota, surrendered a goal to Marcus Johansson just 34 seconds into Game 5, then allowed a pair of goals to Nick Foligno.
The Avalanche were hoping to close out a playoff series at home for the first time in more than 18 years. If they lose Game 5, they'll return to Minnesota for Game 6 on Friday night.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood deflects a shot in the third period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the Minnesota Wild Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns, top front, pins Minnesota Wild right wing Ryan Hartman as Colorado goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood looks on in the first period of Game 5 of an NHL Stanley Cup hockey second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood allows a goal by Minnesota Wild left wing Marcus Johansson in the first period of Game 5 of an NHL Stanley Cup hockey second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
BOSTON (AP) — Pinch-hitter Ceddanne Rafaela had a tiebreaking, two-run homer over the Green Monster and the Boston Red Sox beat Philadelphia 3-1 on Wednesday night while ending the home run streak of the Phillies' Kyle Schwarber at five games.
Rafaela hit a fastball from Orion Kerkering, who replaced Tanner Banks (0-3) with two outs in the sixth.
Making his second start after missing a couple of weeks due to right hamstring tightness that forced him from a start on April 20, Sonny Gray (4-1) gave up one run and two hits over six innings with six strikeouts and one walk.
Aroldis Chapman struck out the side in the ninth, working around a pair of walks, and finished a three-hitter to remain perfect in nine save chances.
Slumping Trevor Story hit a solo homer for the Red Sox, who had lost three of their previous four games. He entered hitting .203 with two homers.
Justin Crawford went deep for the Phillies, who dropped to 11-4 since Don Mattingly replaced Rob Thomson as manager after a 9-19 start.
Schwarber went 0 for 2 after tying a franchise-record by homering in five straight games.
Boston first baseman Willson Contreras returned after missing Tuesday’s series-opening loss due to a bruised right hand sustained when hit by a fastball on Sunday.
Phillies shortstop Trea Tunner didn't start because of an illness, but walked pinch hitting in the ninth.
Philadelphia starter Andrew Painter gave up a run and four hits in five innings. He was tagged for eight runs in just 3 2/3 innings in his previous start.
Phillies LHP Jesús Luzardo (3-3, 5.98 ERA) is set to start the series finale Thursday against Red Sox LHP Ranger Suárez (2-2, 2.77), who spent eight seasons with Philadelphia before signing a $130 million, five-year contract with Boston in January.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (40) makes the force out, after making the play on a grounder by Philadelphia Phillies' Justin Crawford, left, during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Orion Kerkering looks down at a fresh baseball after giving up a two-run home run to Boston Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela, right, celebrates with Wilyer Abreu after his two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela is doused with sunflower seeds while celebrating after his two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
