Red Sox Defeat Braves in Finale Fueled by Story and Crochet

The Boston Red Sox made a statement on Sunday, knocking off the Atlanta Braves 3-1. Garrett Crochet took the mound and just dominated, while the lineup and defense chipped in when it mattered most.

Manager Alex Cora really had his fingerprints all over this one. He leaned into matchups and got the execution he needed from his guys. That series win? It’s a much-needed jolt as they head into the homestand.

Garrett Crochet Silences Braves’ Bats with Career-High 12 Strikeouts

Garrett Crochet put on a show. Seven innings, 12 strikeouts—his best this season. He only gave up five hits and two walks, but the real jaw-dropper? He got Atlanta to swing and miss 23 times. That’s not something you see every day.

Crochet locked in when things got dicey. He stranded runners in scoring position in the third, fourth, and fifth. Marcell Ozuna did tag him for a solo homer in the first, but Crochet shrugged it off and shut the Braves down from there.

Defensive Support Elevates Crochet

Kristian Campbell had Crochet’s back in the fourth. He ran down a deep fly ball, making a catch that saved a run and kept Boston ahead. Cora even mentioned after the game that defense played a huge part in keeping Atlanta in check.

Trevor Story Sparks the Offense Early

Trevor Story wasted no time. Bases loaded in the first, and he ripped a double that cleared them all—barely missing a homer. That three-run double ended up being all Boston needed.

Story just seems to have Atlanta’s number. He’s batting .347 with 41 RBIs in 41 games against the Braves. Once again, he delivered when the Sox needed it most.

The Bullpen Slams the Door

After Crochet left, Boston’s bullpen took over and didn’t flinch. Greg Weissert and Aroldis Chapman combined to retire 13 of the last 14 Braves hitters. Chapman picked up his ninth save, looking every bit the closer they need.

Cora’s Strategic Management Steadies the Ship

Alex Cora managed his pitching staff with a steady hand. After a rough series against Milwaukee, he made the right calls and got his team back on track. He talked postgame about keeping standards high, especially with a young group still figuring things out.

Eyes on Fenway with Momentum on Their Side

Boston heads home at 29-32 for a three-game set with the Angels. Momentum’s a funny thing, but you have to think this win gives them a real shot to make some noise in a crowded division.

Key Takeaways from Boston’s 3-1 Triumph

Here are the key storylines from Sunday’s victory:

• Garrett Crochet’s breakout performance: He struck out 12 over seven innings. That’s the kind of dominance you hope for but rarely see.
• Trevor Story’s clutch hitting: His three-run double in the first inning changed the mood right away.
• Defensive heroics: Kristian Campbell made a wild catch in the fourth, shutting down what looked like a real threat.
• Lights-out bullpen: Greg Weissert and Aroldis Chapman came in and locked it down. Almost perfect relief work, honestly.

Boston heads home now, and honestly, it feels like there’s plenty to look forward to. With Alex Cora running the show and guys like Crochet and Story stepping up, maybe this group really can make some noise as the season rolls on.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Trevor Story’s early double, Garrett Crochet’s brilliance enough as Red Sox top Braves in finale