Garrett Crochet Dominates, Red Sox Take Series Lead Over Yankees

The Boston Red Sox grabbed control of their postseason hopes with a gritty 3-1 win over the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series. Yankee Stadium buzzed under the bright lights as both teams battled, but Boston’s late push and Garrett Crochet’s stunning debut really stole the show.

This win puts the Yankees right on the edge of elimination. Game 2 in the Bronx suddenly looks massive.

Garrett Crochet’s Masterclass on the Mound

Garrett Crochet made his first-ever postseason start and honestly, it’s one for the Red Sox history books. The lefty struck out 11 over 7 2/3 innings and allowed just one run—Anthony Volpe’s solo homer in the third.

At one point, he retired 17 straight Yankees. That’s the kind of stuff that gets remembered.

High pitch count, higher impact

Crochet threw a career-high 117 pitches. That’s a lot, but it showed how much the Red Sox trust their big trade acquisition.

Boston went out and got him for moments like this, and his new deal already feels worth it. He mixed fastballs and sharp breakers, keeping the Yankees guessing all night.

Max Fried’s Strong Start for New York

On the other side, Max Fried did his thing. The Yankees’ ace shut down Boston’s lineup for 6 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out six and mixing seven different pitches.

He was in total control, and for a while, it looked like that might be enough.

Pitching duel keeps game tight

Fried and Crochet traded zeroes in a classic October showdown. New York held a 1-0 lead into the seventh, leaning on Fried’s command and poise.

But then the bullpen had to take over, and that’s always a little nerve-wracking for Yankees fans.

Boston Breaks Through Against the Yankees Bullpen

The seventh inning got messy for New York. Luke Weaver walked Ceddanne Rafaela after a wild 11-pitch battle.

Nick Sogard then ripped a hustle double, testing Aaron Judge’s arm in right. Suddenly, Boston had a real shot.

Yoshida delivers big in first postseason at-bat

Masataka Yoshida, pinch-hitting for Rob Refsnyder, didn’t waste any time. On his first playoff swing, he knocked a two-run single up the middle and flipped the game to 2-1, Boston.

That was a huge moment—tense, quick, and exactly what the Red Sox needed.

Finishing the Job

Boston wanted insurance, and they got it in the ninth. Alex Bregman lined an RBI double off Yankees closer David Bednar, giving the Red Sox a little breathing room.

Still, the Yankees fought back and loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. The drama just wouldn’t quit.

Chapman slams the door

Aroldis Chapman came in and faced a nightmare scenario. He fired a blazing third strike past Trent Grisham to end it.

Red Sox fans watching at home probably let out a huge sigh of relief. Boston locked up Game 1 in this best-of-three set.

Looking Ahead to Game 2

The Yankees are out of chances. Carlos Rodón gets the ball in Game 2, and it’s do-or-die—lose, and their season’s over while Boston moves on to the AL Division Series.

Key storylines to watch

Several things could decide if the Yankees push this to Game 3:

• Can Carlos Rodón come close to what Max Fried did in Game 1?
• Will the Yankees’ bullpen hold it together this time?
• Can Aaron Judge still make a difference in the field, even with that nagging arm?
• Are the Red Sox going to keep finding clutch postseason hits?

Game 1 had everything: sharp pitching, big hits, and wild late moments. Boston’s got momentum now, and New York’s bullpen looks shaky. If the Yankees want to flip the script, they’ll need every bit of grit and leadership they’ve got left.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Yankees-Red Sox takeaways: Garrett Crochet deals, Yanks’ ’pen reels as Sox take series lead