Garrett Crochet Dominates, Red Sox Steal Game 1 From Yankees

The Boston Red Sox kicked off their postseason with a bang. Ace Garrett Crochet led the charge, throwing a gem in a 3-1 win over the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series.

Boston faced one of the league’s most dangerous lineups, but Crochet looked almost untouchable. Timely hits and some late-inning drama helped seal the victory.

With the new best-of-three format, history generally favors the team that grabs Game 1. Now, the Red Sox are just a win away from moving on.

Garrett Crochet’s Postseason Debut Sets the Tone

In his first career playoff start, Garrett Crochet looked way more seasoned than his years. The 26-year-old southpaw even told manager Alex Cora before the game that only closer Aroldis Chapman would need to pitch out of the bullpen.

He didn’t just talk—he delivered.

Pitching Mastery Against the Yankees

Crochet threw 7⅔ innings of one-run ball and punched out 11 without a single walk. At one stretch, he set down 17 straight Yankees, freezing a lineup that had racked up 94 regular-season wins.

He tossed a career-high 117 pitches. New York never seemed to figure him out. The only real slip came in the second, when Anthony Volpe launched a solo shot.

Battle of Aces: Max Fried vs. Garrett Crochet

The Yankees sent out Max Fried, who kept pace with Crochet for much of the night. Fried held Boston scoreless until the seventh, but things changed quickly after that.

The Turning Point in the Seventh

After 6⅓ shutout innings, Fried handed things over to reliever Luke Weaver. That’s when the game flipped.

Weaver walked Ceddanne Rafaela after a gritty 11-pitch at-bat, then gave up Nick Sogard’s double. Masataka Yoshida followed with a looping two-run single to left, and Fenway exploded.

Alex Bregman’s Milestone and Chapman’s Close

Veteran third baseman Alex Bregman celebrated his 100th playoff game by tacking on an insurance run in the ninth with an RBI single. That extra run really mattered as the Yankees tried to rally against Chapman in the ninth.

Surviving a Ninth-Inning Scare

The bottom of the ninth got hairy—Chapman loaded the bases. He managed to strike out Giancarlo Stanton and Trent Grisham, then coaxed a shallow fly from Jazz Chisholm Jr. to end it.

It was a wild finish, but Boston held their nerve when it counted.

What This Win Means for Boston

Since the wild-card series format started in 2022, no team has lost the series after winning Game 1. That’s a stat Red Sox fans will probably cling to right now.

With two chances left to clinch against Toronto, the mood in the clubhouse feels pretty upbeat. Crochet’s arm might even be available out of the bullpen if needed.

Crochet’s Impact Since the Trade

Boston traded for Crochet last December after his breakout year as a starter. He’s been a game-changer, giving the team a legit ace who loves the big stage.

Watching him mow down elite hitters in October? That’s got fans dreaming about a long playoff run.

Key Takeaways from Game 1

Boston’s win wasn’t just about Crochet’s arm—it was about stepping up when it mattered. A few things really stood out:

• Crochet’s dominance: 11 strikeouts, no walks, and 17 straight retired batters.
• Timely hitting: Yoshida’s two-run single flipped the script.
• Veteran leadership: Bregman’s RBI in his 100th playoff game added much-needed insurance.
• Clutch closing: Chapman’s escape from a bases-loaded jam finished the job.

Looking Ahead

The Red Sox have a shot to finish the series in Game 2. If they win, they’ll knock out a Yankees team that cruised to 94 regular-season victories.

Sure, history leans Boston’s way, but the postseason loves to throw curveballs. After what we saw in Game 1, it feels like Garrett Crochet and the Sox might just be ready to grab this opportunity and charge into the next round.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Crochet retires 17 straight as Red Sox swipe G1