Garrett Crochet dominates Yankees in his first postseason start
- Garrett Crochet produced a standout performance, pitching 7 2/3 innings and striking out 11 batters.
- The game was tightly contested until Boston took the lead in the seventh inning thanks to Yoshida's pivotal hit.
- The Red Sox secured a 3-1 win, placing them in a strong position in the series against the Yankees.
On October 1, 2023, the Boston Red Sox played against the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series. The game took place at Yankee Stadium in New York, and it was an intense matchup that saw Garrett Crochet start for the Red Sox in his postseason debut. Despite allowing a solo home run to Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe in the second inning, Crochet showed his talent by retiring 17 consecutive batters afterwards. He pitched a total of 7 2/3 innings, striking out 11 batters and allowing only four hits. The Red Sox offense struggled against Yankees pitcher Max Fried initially, failing to score through his 6.1 innings of work. However, the tide turned when Boston faced the Yankees' bullpen, capitalizing on a walk and a hit to produce runs. Pinch-hitter Masataka Yoshida's go-ahead two-run single was a crucial highlight in the seventh inning, giving the Red Sox a 2-1 lead. In the top of the ninth, Alex Bregman added an insurance run with an RBI double, further securing their advantage. Aroldis Chapman, the Red Sox closer, came in to finish the game by escaping a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the ninth. The victory gave the Red Sox a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three Wild Card Series. After the game, Red Sox manager Alex Cora expressed optimism regarding their chances, noting the historical trend of teams winning Game 1 in this format. Boston improved their record against the Yankees to nine wins in the last ten meetings, reflecting their confidence and dominance over their rivals lately. Crochet's exceptional performance also marked a significant moment for him personally, as he has shown immense potential since joining the team last December. The Red Sox now look forward to Game 2, scheduled for October 2, 2023, where they aim to secure advancement to the American League Division Series. The Yankees will be under pressure to win, as they must now win consecutive games to continue their season. This postseason has added an extra layer of excitement and competition between these two storied franchises, and Game 2 promises to be another thrilling encounter.