On Saturday night at Fenway Park, Garrett Crochet allowed two solo home runs in the first inning to Dodgers stars Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández, giving Los Angeles a quick 2–0 lead. Ohtani’s blast marked his 38th of the season, followed immediately by Hernández’s second homer in as many games.
Settling Into Dominance
Undeterred, Crochet immediately calmed the nerves, yielding no further runs over the next five innings, with the Dodgers failing to score again. Over six innings, he allowed eight hits and two walks, while striking out 10 batters—marking his fifth outing this season with at least 10 strikeouts and no more than two earned runs in six-plus innings (Reuters).
Offensive Turnaround for Boston
Boston rallied in the second inning, scoring three runs to seize control. Jarren Duran drilled a two-run triple, and Abraham Toro followed with a sacrifice fly. Duran continued to shine, finishing with two triples and a double, while Alex Bregman and Roman Anthony contributed multiple hits. Anthony also added an RBI double in the fifth to extend Boston’s advantage to 4–2.
Manager Praise and Pitcher Perspective
Red Sox manager Alex Cora lauded Crochet’s adaptability after the game, noting his ability to adjust mentally and mechanically after a difficult opening frame. Crochet himself was candid, saying he just made “two bad pitches” early and then stuck to his plan, even as the broadcasters replayed the early homers repeatedly.
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Continued Excellence in 2025
The win improved Crochet’s record to 12–4 on the season, with an ERA around 2.23 and a WHIP near 1.06. His 10-strikeout performance added to an exceptional year, solidifying his standing in the American League Cy Young race.
Ducking the Dodgers’ Late Push
Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw exited after 4⅔ innings, having given up all four runs on six hits. The Dodgers threatened in the late innings but could not capitalize. Mookie Betts, appearing as a pinch hitter to try and spark a rally, struck out looking for the final out. Reliever Aroldis Chapman earned his 18th save of the year, freezing Betts to seal the victory. Garrett
Momentum Shift in the Series
The win avenged Boston’s loss in the series opener and tied the three-game set at 1–1. It also extended a broader downturn for the Dodgers, who stumbled early despite power threats from their lineup led by Ohtani and Hernández. Garrett
Final Word
After adversity early in the game, Garrett Crochet took charge with a dominant outing featuring 10 strikeouts and six strong innings. Boston’s timely offense led the turnaround, while Crochet’s poise and execution under pressure helped deliver a key 4–2 victory over the Dodgers. His continued excellence cements his status as a rising ace and key Cy Young contender for the Red Sox.
