Garrett Crochet stifles Yankees as Red Sox swipe Game 1 - ESPN

NEW YORK — Garrett Crochet retired 17 consecutive batters in a sparkling pitching performance, and pinch-hitter Masataka Yoshida lined a two-run single off reliever Luke Weaver that sent the Boston Red Sox past the New York Yankees 3-1 on Tuesday night in their AL Wild Card Series opener.

New York loaded the bases with nobody out in the ninth inning, but All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman pitched out of the jam against his former team. Boston is 10-4 versus its longtime rival this year and halfway to winning the best-of-three playoff.

Game 2 is Wednesday night in the Bronx again, with Aaron Judge and the Yankees needing a victory to extend their season. Carlos Rodon (18-9, 3.09 ERA) will start for New York, opposed by Brayan Bello (11-9, 3.35).

Crochet gave up only Anthony Volpe's second-inning homer and improved to 4-0 against the Yankees this year, throwing a career-high 117 pitches in a marquee duel of ace left-handers with Max Fried. Crochet struck out 11 and walked none over 7 2/3 innings while allowing four hits.

«The stuff was really good at that point,» Red Sox manager Alex Cora said of Crochet, and keeping him in well into the eighth inning. «He was throwing 97, 98, and the previous inning was a quick one. So, it gave us a chance to push the envelope.»

Pitching with a 2-1 lead after Yoshida's go-ahead hit in the seventh, Crochet extended his streak of retired batters until Volpe singled with one out in the eighth. Crochet's final pitch was his fastest at 100.2 mph, which Austin Wells took for a called third strike.

«He's the best pitcher in the game,» Yankees slugger Aaron Judge said of Crochet. «He's going to work all of his pitches, and he threw a little bit more off-speed early on. But we got the Volpe homer,