Crochet gets the support he needs
I’m intimidated by Jake Reiser calling this the most important weekend of the Red Sox season to date.
One, I had a last-minute scramble to recap this game, due to the broadcast moving to FOX. They shut me out from even listening on radio! As a cable cutter with no fixed TV provider, I’m not thrilled when the games move around, especially on Crochet Day. But no radio…come on.
Two, I’m impaired by a very boring but acute medical situation. If I say anything too weird, let’s blame it on the meds.
But then again the Red Sox have been impaired by poor pitching, poor managing/coaching, offense that crumbles in the face of RISP, and lack of fundamentals so I guess we’re even. Let’s begin.
Crochet started it off right: a 1-2-3 first inning, including two strikeouts. Including Aaron Judge. Please and thank you, that’s what I’m talking about. A big Sox lead gave way to a game that was a little too close for comfort—but it was exciting, and all’s well that ends well.
There was even some question about that, as Aroldis Chapman stumbled over the first base bag on the last play of the game and went to the ground, but he came up laughing a bit, so I guess it’s all right. We’ll take it!
Studs
Offense
Every starter but two had at least one hit, and they (eventually) padded the lead when needed. Special mention to:
- Kristian Campbell: RBI single in the first started the scoring, and must have felt good for the guy. He had another in a big spot in the high-scoring third inning.
- Trevor Story: Drove in three in the third inning with a double to put the Sox ahead 5-3. Another feel-good hit by a guy who’s really been up against it. He also hit a 2RBI single in the 9th to give us two insurance runs in an increasingly close game. Good to see.
- Romy Gonzalez: A career night. 3-4, single, double, HR, 2 RBI, 3R.
Pitching (except Justin Wilson)
- Garrett Crochet: Though he gave up 5 runs, he stayed in the game through six innings and struck out Aaron Judge—decisively—three times. Hooray!
- Greg Weissert: He flirted with an immaculate inning and struck out the side in the seventh.
- Aroldis Chapman: He got the save, thereby tying Mariano Rivera for most saves in New Yankee Stadium.
Duds
Judgment? Fundamentals?
Your honor, I present the evidence:
- Romy Gonzalez, 2nd inning. He ranges out of position, cutting in front of Kristian Campbell to grab the ball, but doesn’t have the time or angle to make the play at first. That batter, Cody Bellinger, not only stole second and third, but scored on a subsequent home run. It was going to turn out ugly no matter how you look at it.
- Rafael Devers, 3rd inning with a big baserunning miscue that had him easily out at the plate.
- Kristian Campbell, 4th inning. He either didn’t see the ball or didn’t properly get a jump on it, letting it go by him for a single, which turned into a run.
- Abraham Toro, 4th inning. He moved out of position, expecting a stolen base perhaps…but thereby not being in the right place for a ball that would have otherwise gone right to him. Single, but no further damage.
- Ceddanne Rafaela, 8th inning: bad miss on a throw to home, instead of holding the runner at first. That runner advanced to second as the potential tying run. No further damage, but it got our collective blood pressure up at a time when Justin Wilson already had us biting our nails.
Justin Wilson
In his first 7 pitches, he threw 7 balls, including a wild pitch that moved the runner to second (he eventually scored). He issued two four-pitch walks. Thankfully he got a key punchout when he needed to.
Play of the Game
Trevor Story’s 3 RBI double to put the Sox ahead.