The Boston Red Sox went out and picked up Garrett Crochet for game like this

Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet is congratulated in the dugout after the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Jim Davis)

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox went out and picked up Garrett Crochet for game like this.

Facing the rival New York Yankees in a race for the AL’s top wild-card spot, Crochet was given a big first-inning lead and matched his season high with 12 strikeouts over six innings in Boston’s 6-4 victory Sunday night that salvaged the finale of a three-game series.

“We already talked about it being a must-win game, just trying to do everything I could,” said Crochet, who is 16-5 with a 2.63 ERA. “We were just trying to re-right the ship. The offense came out big early and I was trying to do my best to maintain the lead."

The Red Sox acquired the 26-year-old left-hander in a trade with the Chicago White Sox during the offseason. Then, they didn’t wait very long to lock him up, signing him to a $170 million, six-year deal during the first week of the season. The contract starts next season.

The Red Sox are 1 1/2 games behind the Yankees, who hold the top wild-card slot. Boston is second. The top wild-card team hosts the runner-up in a three-game series.

On Sunday, Boston came out and scored six runs in the bottom of the first after Crochet fanned two in a 1-2-3 top half.

“It was huge. He set the tone early there in the top of the first,” Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story said. “To put up a six-spot, it felt like a million with Crochet going.”

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Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet throws during a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Jim Davis)

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the team managed Crochet's workload after the All-Star break so his big lefty would have more down the stretch.

“For all those questions about workload and (velocity) down, I think the last (pitch) was 99 mph.” Cora said. “We took care of him to take care of us. Hopefully the rest of the month and the next one he’s a huge part of it.”

Crochet knows his team is counting on him.

“Especially as we’re nearing the end here, I don’t want to have any regret on my mind here in the next couple of weeks,” he said. “Just trying to do everything I can to put us in a good spot.”

Asked what he thought it would be like to face the Yankees in the postseason, Crochet said: “It would be cool because it means we’re in the postseason. I think that’s the main focus. It doesn’t matter who we’re playing.”

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Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet, right, reacts as New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, back left, rounds third base after hitting a fifth-inning solo home run during a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Jim Davis)