Red Sox Steal Game 1 Lead Behind Crochet‘s Dominant Outing, Late-Inning Rally
BOSTON – Garrett Crochet delivered a postseason performance for the ages, and a late offensive surge propelled the Boston Red Sox to a 3-2 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Tuesday. The Red Sox now hold a 1-0 series lead.
Crochet, making his first career postseason start, pitched five scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out eight. He exited to a raucous standing ovation but didn’t look up once on his way back to the dugout. The Yankees will need a similar outing from Carlos Rodón in Game 2 on wednesday.
The Red Sox offense, mirroring a season-long trend, was quiet early before erupting late. Manager Alex Cora’s strategic use of his bench proved pivotal, particularly after starter Chris Sale was removed from the game. A key moment came in the seventh inning with Rafaela’s 11-pitch walk, a display of patience uncharacteristic for a player who has struggled with plate discipline, posting a 42.2 percent chase rate this season.
That walk ignited a rally, as utilityman Sogard followed with a base hit to center, smartly taking advantage of Judge’s arm to reach second base. Cora then pinch-hit Masataka Yoshida, who was not in the starting lineup due to Sale’s start, against reliever Luke Weaver. Yoshida delivered immediately, slapping a two-run, go-ahead single up the middle for his first career postseason at-bat, continuing a hot streak since Sept. 19 where he hit .368 with a 1.005 OPS. He signed with the Red Sox out of Japan in 2022.
Alex Bregman added an insurance run with an RBI double in the ninth, scoring Story as the Red Sox chipped away at the Yankees’ bullpen.
