Yankees bullpen falters as Red Sox rely on Crochet’s 7.2 innings of strong pitching and Masataka Yoshida’s clutch hit to secure victory

In the MLB American League Wild Card Series Game 1 between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, the traditional “Bronx vs. Sox” showdown saw both sides start their ace lefties, Garrett Crochet facing Max Fried. Both aces pitched excellently, with Crochet throwing 7.2 innings and striking out 11 batters. After Fried left the game, the Red Sox hitters broke through the Yankees bullpen, while their closer Aroldis Chapman held firm under pressure. Ultimately, the Red Sox won 3-1, taking the first game of the series.

Crochet faced a scoring threat early on but managed to escape trouble thanks to his strikeout ability and a double play crafted by his teammates.

Volpe, who has drawn criticism from Yankees fans this season, earned applause in the bottom of the second inning by hitting a solo home run to put the Yankees ahead.

Fried kept Red Sox hitters in check through the first three innings, but in the top of the fourth with two outs, he faced challenges—first issuing a walk, then allowing a double to Nate Eaton. However, he struck out Jarren Duran to get out of the jam.

In the top of the fifth, Fried again encountered trouble with two outs. A walk and an infield hit put runners in scoring position for the Red Sox, but Alex Bregman’s ground ball was cleanly fielded by José Caballero, who threw to first base to end the inning.

Fried continued pitching into the sixth inning but showed some control issues, allowing runners on first and second. Fortunately, solid defense helped him escape the threat.

After giving up a hit, Crochet steadied his performance, retiring 13 consecutive batters and demonstrating dominant control.

In the ace matchup, Fried exited first after pitching 6.1 innings with six strikeouts and three walks, allowing four hits but no runs, leaving the game with a one-run lead.

However, reliever Luke Weaver started by issuing a walk and then gave up an extra-base hit to Nick Sogard. Following that, Masataka Yoshida delivered a crucial hit driving in two runs to give the Red Sox the lead. The Yankees quickly brought in Fernando Cruz, who prevented further runs, but the bullpen once again faltered.

Crochet continued to dominate until the bottom of the eighth when Volpe broke his streak of 16 consecutive outs with a hit. Crochet threw 117 pitches, still reaching 100 mph on his fastball, and struck out Austin Wells for his 11th strikeout before leaving the game.

The Red Sox then brought in veteran closer Aroldis Chapman, who withstood Volpe’s threat on base and got José Caballero to fly out, preserving the one-run lead.

In the top of the ninth, David Bednar struck out Nick Sogard and got Masataka Yoshida to ground out. Trevor Story followed with a hit and stole second base, setting the stage for Alex Bregman to hit a timely long ball, adding an insurance run.

In the final half-inning, the Yankees loaded the bases with no outs thanks to consecutive hits from Paul Goldschmidt, Aaron Judge, and Cody Bellinger. However, Giancarlo Stanton struck out, Jazz Chisholm Jr. flew out without advancing runners, and Trent Grisham struck out swinging. Chapman closed the game nervously, securing a 3-1 win for the Red Sox and giving them a series lead.