Sox bullpen fails Sale in loss

Boston — Red Sox ace Chris Sale struck out a career-high 17 in just seven innings before getting pulled after 108 pitches on a chilly Tuesday night, and the Colorado Rockies rallied against Boston's bullpen to win 5-4 in the 11th.

Sale became the first pitcher in major league history to fan 17 in a start of no more than seven innings. Boston pitchers combined to strike out 24, but the Red Sox had their five-game winning streak come to an end.

Mark Reynolds, whose fifth-inning double was the first runner allowed by Sale, drove in the go-ahead run with a two-out single in the 11th off Ryan Brasier (2-2).

Sale struck out the first six batters and fanned eight through three innings. He dominated the Rockies with a firm fastball and sharp slider, topping his previous best of 15 strikeouts, which he had done three times.

The All-Star lefty sported his signature short-sleeves despite the 44-degree temperature at the start of the game and had a shutout through six innings.

Nolan Arenado's two-run homer in the seventh was one of only three hits the Rockies managed against Sale.

Sale stopped the damage there with three straight strikeouts, placing him within range of the major league record of 20 in nine innings.

Cora didn't bite and went to Brandon Workman, who allowed a double by Chris Iannetta and Blackmon's two-run homer with two outs in the eighth to give Colorado its first lead at 4-3.

Mike Dunn (1-0) got the win with one inning of scoreless relief and Wade Davis got his seventh save.

Charlie Blackmon also homered for the Rockies. Michael Chavis, J.D. Martinez and Rafael Devers homered for Boston.

Boston made it 4-all in the eighth on a pinch-hit single by Mitch Moreland.