Garrett Crochet shines with eight innings in Red Sox victory

On April 2, 2025, in Baltimore, Maryland, the Boston Red Sox faced the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. In a stellar performance, Garrett Crochet executed the longest outing of his career, pitching eight innings while allowing only four hits and one walk, striking out eight hitters. This impressive performance came during his first start after signing a lucrative $170 million, six-year contract earlier that week. Alongside Crochet, Trevor Story made a significant impact by hitting a solo home run in the second inning, marking his first home run of the season and providing an early lead for the Red Sox. In the fifth inning, Boston capitalized on their momentum by scoring two additional runs. Kristian Campbell and Rafael Devers contributed significantly to the offense; Campbell, who had just signed a $60 million, eight-year deal, had two doubles and drove in a run. Devers, who had struggled at the start of the season with an 0 for 21 slump and 15 strikeouts, managed to record two hits in the game, including an RBI double that was crucial for extending the Red Sox's lead. The Orioles had difficulty generating offense, striking out nine times and managing only four singles. The Orioles' starting pitcher Zach Eflin endured a tough outing, yielding three runs and eight hits over six innings while only striking out five Red Sox batters in total. Despite the loss, the Orioles were in a relatively decent position early in the season with a record of 3-3. The game showcased the early promise of the Red Sox team, signaling potential improvements with their key players returning to form. As the game concluded, Aroldis Chapman took the mound for the ninth inning, successfully closing out the game to earn his first save of the season. With this victory, the Red Sox demonstrated both potent hitting and strong pitching, setting the stage for a competitive series as they prepared for the upcoming game against the Orioles, with Tanner Houck slated to pitch against Charlie Morton. As it stood, the Orioles were hopeful for the return of star shortstop Gunnar Henderson from the injured list, which would bolster their lineup moving forward, potentially offering them a better chance in forthcoming games.