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By Julio Cesar Valdera Morales
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Boston Red Sox are halfway to clinching an AL Division Series spot after beating the New York Yankees, 3-1, in the first game of the wild card series.
It was a tough pill to swallow for the Bronx Bombers, not only because the loss puts their World Series aspirations on the back foot. The New Yorkers entered the history books in a chapter that no one enjoys: They are now the only team in MLB history to have the bases loaded with no outs in the bottom of the ninth inning of a playoff game and leave without scoring.
The inning looked promising for the Yankees, as they faced Boston's star closer, Aroldis Chapman, with the best of their lineup. Consecutive hits by Paul Goldschmidt, Aaron Judge, and Cody Bellinger loaded the bases and had everyone at Yankee Stadium dreaming of a legendary comeback.
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But Chapman saved the best for last and struck out Giancarlo Stanton with just four pitches. He then retired Jazz Chisholm Jr. on a fly ball to right field, before closing by delivering Trent Grisham with his fourth strikeout of the game.
Chapman had entered the game in the previous inning to relieve starter Garrett Crochet with one man on base and two outs. The Cuban pitcher retired Jose Caballero on a fly ball to right field, setting the stage for the ninth inning.
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Garrett Crochet also made history
It was also a historic night for Crochet, who threw 117 pitches against the Yankees. That's the most pitches thrown by a pitcher in a playoff game since 2019.
Crochet worked 7 2/3 innings and allowed only one earned run. All the Yankees managed against him were four hits, including Anthony Volpe's solo home run. The Boston left-hander struck out 11 and walked none.
After the game, the Red Sox manager shared a story illustrating Crochet's confidence in himself.
“(He told me, 'Tuesday’) you’re going to make one call to the bullpen,'” Cora said, according to The Associated Press. “I said: 'Maybe two.' He's like: 'No, no, no. One. It's going to be straight to (Chapman).'"
And that was certainly the case.
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