Red Sox’s Garrett Crochet Makes Boston History Against Yankees originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet put together the performance of the season on Friday night in a 2-1 win against the New York Yankees. He was dominant in over eight innings, striking out seven and earning a shot to clinch a complete game shutout.
After blowing a 98-mph fastball past Yankees’ MVP Aaron Judge in the first inning to secure a scoreless frame, Crochet did it again six more times and, with it, joined Red Sox Legends.
Crochet’s seven strikeouts brought his total to a league-leading 117. The ace also became the fourth Red Sox ever to reach the 117-strikeout plateau in his first 15 starts, joining Roger Clemens (1988), Pedro Martinez (2001), and Chris Sale (2019). If Crochet were to win the Cy Young award, he would be the first of the group to do so after accomplishing the strikeout feat.
Crochet’s success primarily came against Judge. Entering his final at-bat, Judge was 0-6 vs. Crochet with six strikeouts this season, including three on Friday. However, his fortunes and Crochet’s outing changed on one swing.
On a 3-2 pitch, Judge blasted the ball over the Green Monster to tie the game, inevitably sending it into extra innings. Despite giving up the lead just two outs away from his first career complete game shutout, Crochet was grateful for the opportunity.
“It was a special feeling just jogging back out there and, you know, standing [ovation],” Crochet said via WEEI’s Tom Carroll. “I could tell the fans wanted me out there, which I already wanted to be out there pretty bad, but it made it mean a little bit more. [I] wish I could’ve finished it out, probably gonna lose sleep over that, as silly as it sounds, after what I would call a good outing. But yeah, it was really cool.”
Garrett Crochet talks about what led to him pitching in the 9th, and how special it was for him to attempt pitching a complete game:
“…It was a special feeling just jogging back out there and, you know, standing O. I could tell the fans wanted me out there, which I already… pic.twitter.com/KpoZ34gR25
— Tom Carroll (@yaboiTCfresh) June 14, 2025
When it comes to Judge, Crochet explained why he enjoys the challenge of facing the multiple-time MVP in a clutch spot, even if it did not go his way in the end.
“100%, yeah. I think that when you’re at this level, facing a guy like that makes you feel like you’re up one level higher. It’s really special.”
Crochet is on pace for new career highs in innings and strikeouts. He also joined reigning Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal as the only pitcher with 90 innings, 110+ strikeouts, and an ERA below 2.25 in 14 or more starts this season.
The Red Sox went on to win the game 2-1, courtesy of a walk-off home run by Carlos Narvaez.
Related: Red Sox Receive Promising News on Alex Bregman’s Injury
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
