Red Sox Salvage Series Finale Against Yankees Behind Garrett Crochet's Dominant Performance
The Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Yankees 6-4 on Sunday night, salvaging the final game of their three-game series. Garrett Crochet delivered a stellar performance, striking out a season-high 12 batters over six innings, helping Boston close the gap in the AL wild-card race.
Crochet's Commanding Presence
Crochet, acquired by the Red Sox in an offseason trade with the Chicago White Sox, proved to be the anchor Boston needed. After signing a $170 million, six-year deal, he delivered a dominant performance when it mattered most. The Red Sox quickly built a six-run lead in the first inning, providing Crochet with the cushion he needed to control the game.
"We already talked about it being a must-win game, just trying to do everything I could," said Crochet. "We were just trying to re-right the ship. The offense came out big early and I was trying to do my best to maintain the lead."
Yankees' Warren Struggles, Offense Falls Short
For the Yankees, starting pitcher Will Warren struggled mightily, allowing six runs in the first inning. Despite a late rally, including home runs from Amed Rosario and Aaron Judge, the Yankees ultimately fell short. Warren now has a 9.42 ERA against the Red Sox this season. The loss prevented the Yankees from completing a series sweep and gaining further ground in the AL East.
Wild Card Implications
The Red Sox are now just 1 1/2 games behind the Yankees for the top AL wild-card spot. With both teams vying for a playoff berth, the victory was crucial for Boston's postseason hopes. The top wild-card team will host the runner-up in a three-game series, adding further significance to each game down the stretch. Alex Cora, the Red Sox manager, highlighted the strategic workload management of Crochet, ensuring his availability for key games late in the season.
"For all those questions about workload and (velocity) down, I think the last (pitch) was 99 mph." Cora said. "We took care of him to take care of us. Hopefully the rest of the month and the next one he's a huge part of it."
Looking Ahead
While the Yankees went 7-5 over a tough 12-game stretch, manager Aaron Boone is focusing on the immediate future. The Red Sox, fueled by Crochet's performance, look to carry this momentum forward as they continue their push for a playoff spot.