Red Sox' winning streak climbs to four with series-opening victory over Rockies in return to Fenway
The 47-45 Sox have won four straight and six of their last seven.
It took 12 starts over two seasons for Fitts to get his first career victory despite a career ERA of 3.31.
Whether it was a lack of run support, poor defense or just bad luck, Fitts was 0-4 in his career.
That was not an issue against the 21-70 Rockies.
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The Sox had 14 hits, seven for extra bases. Roman Anthony was 3 for 4 with a two-run homer. Wilyer Abreu was 2 for 4 with an RBI double. Abraham Toro added a two-run double.
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Ceddanne Rafaela homered for the third consecutive game. Romy Gonzalez was 2 for 5 with a homer and a triple.
Jarren Duran, out of the lineup for only the third time this season, came off the bench and singled in a run. It was the first pinch-hit RBI of his career.
The Sox appeared to take a 1-0 lead against Rockies starter Austin Gomber in the first inning when leadoff hitter Nate Eaton drove a fastball off the top of the Green Monster that popped straight up.
That's usually a home run. But the ball actually struck the top rung of the superfluous ladder bolted to the wall and that's not a home run.
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Eaton was then thrown out trying to steal third.
Fitts did well to hold the Rockies to one run in the second inning.
Thairo Estrada reached on a two-base throwing error by shortstop Trevor Story before Michael Toglia drew a walk. Ryan McMahon grounded out to the right side, advancing the runners. Brenton Doyle followed with an RBI single to center.
Fitts was in trouble. But he struck out Yanquiel Fernández on three pitches, then retired Ryan Ritter on a first-pitch popup.
The Sox rewarded Fitts by scoring three runs in the bottom of the inning.
Abreu doubled to left field to bring in a run with two outs. Toro followed with his two-run double to right.
The lead grew to 5-1 in the fifth inning.
Gonzalez belted a 375-foot triple off the wall in center field. Anthony got a high fastball and sent it 418 feet to center for his second home run.
The Rockies scored two runs with two outs in the sixth inning.
Fitts had retired 10 in a row before Mickey Moniak singled and went to third on a double by Estrada.
Facing reliever Chris Murphy, Toglia grounded to third base. Eaton fielded the ball but was unable to tag Estrada as he approached the bag.
Umpire Tom Hanahan initially ruled Estrada out of the base line but that was changed after the umpiring crew huddled. McMahon's RBI single then made it 5-3.
Peter Abraham can be reached at
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