Red Sox Ace Garrett Crochet Sets Record, Secures Wild Card Win
The Boston Red Sox secured a crucial 3-1 victory over the New York Yankees in the Wild Card series, thanks to a stellar performance by ace Garrett Crochet and timely hitting. Crochet, who pitched 7.1 innings, struck out 11 batters and allowed just four hits and one run, set a record for the fastest strikeout in the 8th inning or later of a postseason game.
The game was a pitcher's duel until the 7th inning when Masataka Yoshida stepped up to the plate as a pinch-hitter. Yoshida delivered a clutch two-run single, giving the Red Sox a 2-1 lead. In the 9th inning, Alex Bregman added an insurance run, securing the victory for Boston. Crochet's fastball velocity was exceptional throughout the game, reaching a peak of 100.2 mph, the 7th-fastest pitch by a starter in the 8th or later of a postseason game in history.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora showed faith in Crochet, leaving him in the game despite the risk of injury. The strategy paid off as Crochet set a new record for the fastest strikeout in the late innings of a postseason game under pitch tracking (2008).
With the win, the Red Sox take a 1-game lead in the Wild Card series. Garrett Crochet's dominant performance and record-breaking strikeout pace the team's victory, while timely hitting from Yoshida and Bregman sealed the deal. The Red Sox will look to build on this momentum as they continue their postseason journey.
