Red Sox Starter Garrett Crochet Faces Mixed Fortunes in Loss to Twins
BOSTON — In an eventful outing, Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet posted a solid but challenging performance against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday. The left-hander allowed just one earned run over five innings, striking out six, yet faced several setbacks that complicated his day at Fenway Park.
Crochet’s game began with a jolt as Byron Buxton launched a home run on the very first pitch, sending it over the iconic Green Monster. The situation escalated in the fourth inning when a liner from Carlos Correa struck Crochet in the nose, causing a brief moment of concern on the mound. Despite this, the determined pitcher remained in the game, though he acknowledged feeling shaken by the initial impact.
By the end of his outing, Crochet, who maintains a 2.02 ERA this season, faced challenges with his four-seam fastball velocity, averaging just 94 mph—nearly two miles per hour slower than his usual. This prompted a shift in his pitching strategy, leading him to rely more on sinkers and cutters against the Twins’ lineup.
Manager Alex Cora noted that Crochet struggled with back-to-back walks in the fifth inning, resulting in an early exit despite leaving the game with a 3-1 lead. “He didn’t realize the pitch count was up there,” Cora explained.
While Crochet’s performance had its ups and downs, the Red Sox ultimately fell short, losing 5-4 and slipping back to a .500 record. Reflecting on the game, Crochet emphasized his commitment to refining his mechanics between starts, expressing confidence that he could overcome the challenges as the season continues.
As the Red Sox look ahead, they will need stronger performances from their bullpen and more consistent outings from starters like Crochet to turn their fortunes around.
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