Boston’s Cooper Criswell dominates Rockies in Red Sox’s 6-0 win at Coors Field

A purple haze descended on LoDo Tuesday night.

It had nothing to do with the smoky skies produced by the Canadian wildfires. It had everything to do with Boston Red Sox right-hander Cooper Criswell, who snuffed out Rockies bats for seven innings.

Criswell, pitching for the first time at Coors Field, gave up five hits, walked one and struck out four, and the Red Sox won 6-0.

Colorado put the leadoff man on base five times vs. Criswell but couldn’t produce a run against the right-hander. The Rockies were 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position with Criswell on the mound.

Veteran Kris Bryant, back after missing 43 games on the injured list because of a left rib contusion and a strained left oblique, struck out twice and walked once vs. Criswell. He also ground out to end the game. Bryant is hitting .180.

Colorado entered the game on a home run binge, hitting 32 in July, the second-most in the majors. But they had trouble squaring up Criswell and grounded into three double plays.

Colorado lefty Ty Blach, meanwhile, had a tough start, courtesy of Boston right fielder Tyler O’Neill, who blasted two mammoth home runs.

O’Neill’s two-run, 437-foot homer sparked the Red Sox’s three-run first inning. O’Neill’s one-out solo homer in the third extended Boston’s lead to 6-0. His big fly landed on the concourse — no, not the concourse at DIA, the one beyond left field — but it was majestic nonetheless, traveling an estimated 465 feet.

O’Neill’s two homers gave him 20 for the season.

Blach was gone after 2 1/3 innings, having given up six runs on seven hits as his ERA climbed to 6.13. He walked one and struck out one.

There was some encouraging work by two Colorado relievers who blanked Boston for the remainder of the game.

Potential future starter Anthony Molina, who replaced Blach, dug a big hole in the fourth by issuing three walks to load the bases. But Molina extricated himself by striking out the dangerous O’Neill with the base loaded. Molina ended up pitching 3 1/3 innings and allowing only one hit.

Right-hander Noah Davis shut out the Red Sox for 3 1/3 innings, giving up three hits, walking one and striking out three.

The three-game series is tied 1-1, with the deciding game scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

Wednesday’s pitching matchup

Red Sox RHP Nick Pivetta (4-6, 3.87 ERA ) at Rockies RHP Cal Quantrill (6-7, 4.15)

1:10 p.m. Wednesday, Coors Field

TV: Rockies.TV (streaming); Comcast/Xfinity (channel 1262); DirecTV (683); Spectrum (130, 445, 305, 435 or 445, depending on region).

Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM

Quantrill, who remains the subject of trade whispers as the July 30 deadline nears, has cooled off as the weather’s heated up. Quantrill gave up three runs on five hits and two walks over six innings in a no-decision last Friday vs. the Giants at Coors Field. He struck out five in Colorado’s win. Quantrill is looking for his first individual victory since June 11. In his six starts since his last win, Quantril has a 6.44 ERA through 29 2/3 innings. In four career starts vs. Boston, he’s 0-1 with a 1.457 WHIP, 20 strikeouts and eight walks.

Pivetta is coming off a wasted gem. He allowed two hits and a walk while striking out eight over six scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers. However, Boston’s bullpen melted down and Los Angeles prevailed. Pivetta posted a scoreless outing for the fourth time this year, including twice over three starts in July. Pivetta has struggled mightily vs. Colorado, going 0-4 with a 13.85 ERA in four games (three starts). He’s served up three homers and 10 walks while striking out nine.

Pitching probables

Thursday: Off

Friday: Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (2-3, 5.63) at Giants TBA, 8:15 p.m.

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