Fenway Thriller: Crochet’s Dominance Meets Judge’s Power
Friday night at Fenway Park delivered a classic chapter in the Boston Red Sox–New York Yankees rivalry, a dramatic 2-1 extra-inning win for the home team. While the walk-off victory ultimately went to the Red Sox, the defining moment featured Boston pitcher Garrett Crochet’s stellar outing interrupted by one swing from Yankees slugger Aaron Judge. Despite Judge’s game-tying ninth-inning home run off him, Crochet and the Red Sox maintain a clear perspective: trust the pitcher and live with the result.
Crochet delivered what was arguably a career-best performance, silencing a formidable Yankees offense for much of the night. He held New York scoreless through a career-high 8⅓ innings, showcasing overpowering stuff that consistently challenged the Bronx Bombers. Facing a Yankees team that leads MLB in slugging percentage and features the league’s hottest hitter in Aaron Judge, Crochet was lights out, striking out the Yankees captain three times earlier in the game. He limited the rest of the lineup to just four hits, racking up seven strikeouts overall.
The Pivotal Ninth-Inning Showdown
With the Red Sox clinging to a precarious 1-0 lead, manager Alex Cora sent Crochet back to the mound for the ninth, giving his dominant pitcher a shot at the complete-game shutout. The decision brought Judge to the plate for the fourth time, a high-stakes rematch.
Crochet battled Judge to a full count. He then delivered a 99 mph fastball intended to sink down in the zone. Unfortunately for the Red Sox, this is precisely where Judge excels. The reigning MVP didn’t miss, launching the pitch 443 feet over the iconic Green Monster and out of Fenway Park. The blast tied the game 1-1, marking Judge’s second career game-tying home run in the ninth inning or later – a testament to his clutch power, which has also seen him recently hit home runs in three consecutive prior games as part of his league-leading offensive surge (entering the game with stats like a .390 average and .780 slugging).
‘Live and Die With My Best Pitch’
Following the game, Crochet addressed the crucial pitch and its costly outcome. “I’m going to live and die with my best pitch,” Crochet stated. “Whether it be pitch selection or execution, tough way to end it. But overall, I felt really good tonight.”
Judge himself offered high praise for the young Red Sox pitcher. “He’s an incredible pitcher,” Judge said. “That’s why they traded for him. He works both sides of the plate [and] has overpowering stuff. I was trying to get on base to start a rally, and I was happy to tie it.”
A Walk-Off Finish Eases the Sting
The sting of Judge’s home run was quickly alleviated in the bottom of the 10th. Red Sox catcher Carlos Narvaez, a former Yankee, delivered a walk-off single, his first career walk-off hit. The rookie became the first Red Sox rookie to achieve this against the Yankees since Josh Reddick in 2011, sealing the 2-1 victory and ensuring Crochet’s masterful performance didn’t result in a loss.
Narvaez echoed the sentiment surrounding Crochet’s night. “Crochet was awesome,” the catcher said. “He made a mistake a little bit. But that was a 100 mph fastball. That was impressive… Probably the best pitcher now against the best hitter in baseball.”
Managerial Trust and Reflection
Red Sox manager Alex Cora stood by his decision to leave Crochet in the game to face Judge in the ninth. “That wasn’t fun,” Cora admitted. “But our guy was throwing great. He was efficient toward the end. We gave him a shot. It didn’t work out. That’s why [Judge] is who he is. One of the best in world, and he got one pitch down and he hit it out of the ballpark. You tip your hat.”
While acknowledging the game-tying shot might cost him sleep, Crochet expressed pride in his overall effort and the chance to pitch deep into the game before the Fenway faithful. “It was a special feeling jogging back out there. Standing [ovation],” Crochet said. “I could tell the fans wanted me out there… If my night had to end there from a home run, I’m at least glad that it was on a fastball.”
Despite the memorable ninth-inning blast, Crochet has largely had Judge’s number this season, holding the slugger to just one hit in seven at-bats with six strikeouts in their head-to-head matchups. Friday night’s dramatic finish was a microcosm of baseball’s unpredictable nature, where one dominant performance can still hinge on a single pitch against an elite opponent, ultimately decided by the team’s resilience.
