Bronx Choke Job: Red Sox Steal Game 1 from Yankees in the Wild Card
The Yankees had the bases loaded with nobody out in the 9th… and somehow still couldn’t buy a run. Somewhere George Steinbrenner is trying to claw out of his grave just to fire somebody.
Game Recap: What the Hell Just Happened?
Last night the Sox faced off (again) in a game that felt equal parts “playoff war” and “comedy of errors.” The final score: Boston 3, New York 1. (Yes, I checked.) The Red Sox scratched out enough damage, held on when they had to, and watched the Yankees nearly self-destruct in the 9th.
Here’s how it played out:
In the 2nd, Anthony Volpe slapped a solo shot to stake New York a 1–0 lead. A cheap gift, but the Sox accepted.
Garrett Crochet responded by locking his jaw shut and dominating for 7⅔ innings — no walks, 11 strikeouts. He allowed just that Volpe shot and nothing else meaningful.
The Sox offense, dormant like a hangover victim, finally stirred in the 7th. Pinch-hitter Masataka Yoshida ripped a two-run single. Suddenly we’re up 2–1.
In the 9th, with tension levels at “my heart is too old for this,” Alex Bregman slapped an RBI double to widen the margin to 3–1.
Then came the final scene: Aroldis Chapman enters. Bases loaded. No outs. Yankee hitters lining up for what looked like a massacre. Instead — he strikes out Stanton, induces a pop, and K’s Grisham. End of scary, start of relief.
In short: Crochet beat them. Boston scratched enough. Chapman (against all instincts) held the line.
Player Highlights & Scapegoats (Yes, There Are Both)
Garrett Crochet — Sure, bow down. 11 Ks, zero walks, 7⅔ innings of surgical precision. He retired 17 straight after the homer and possibly left Yankee hitters questioning their life choices.
Masataka Yoshida — From bench lemon to hero juice. Pinch-hitting like he’s in a movie, delivered the go-ahead blow. If he doesn’t get a starring role after that, someone’s broken.
Alex Bregman — The insurance run double could’ve been a lazy flare to right, but he crushed it. In a “maybe the bullpen will blow it anyway” world, that extra run matters.
Aroldis Chapman — The man who gives fans heart palpitations. Last night he played the role of redemption arc (sort of). Against all odds, he escaped. But don’t bet your car on him being clean tonight.
Yankees bullpen (especially Luke Weaver) — Fried gave them 6+ innings of competitive ball; then the bullpen handed Boston the keys to New York’s October hopes. Weaver’s walk or weak pitch gave Boston the opening they needed.
There are no innocent bystanders here. Even the Sox offense’s six innings of quiet were closer to offense by omission than strategy.
Key Turning Points & Blunders
Volpe’s solo homer. For five minutes, the Yankees looked confident. Then Crochet reminded them who’s in charge.
Yoshida’s pinch hit. That two-run single was the dagger. Momentum swung so violently the Bronx might still be dizzy.
Bullpen collapse. The Yankees handed Boston the game after Fried’s decent start. Their pen didn’t just fold — it self-immolated.
Chapman’s ninth. The scariest five outs in Red Sox history? Maybe. But he got it done. For now.
If Boston had dropped this, the narrative would be the bullpen betrayed them again. But they didn’t drop it. So now we whisper “resilient” while choking down the panic we always feel.
Meanwhile, the Yankees’ bats — prime time October lineup! — went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. They acted like strong favorites who forgot how to swing. Embarrassing.
Red Sox Momentum Check (Ha)
This win gives Boston a 1–0 lead in the Wild Card series. It’s significant, historical odds tilt that direction — but also far from safe.
If you look for streaks, the Sox needed this. They clinched the No. 5 seed just days ago in scrappy fashion. (They beat Detroit to seal it.)
Does this feel like momentum? Sure, but Boston fans have seen “momentum” morph into “epic bullpen collapse” so many times. We’re cautiously hopeful.
In the division standings, they’ve exceeded expectations. But October is a different animal.
What’s Next (Yes, There Is a Next)
Game 2 looms. Boston will hand the ball to Brayan Bello — a pitcher with talent, but also volatility. The Yanks will counter with Carlos Rodón — a big arm, big contract, big pressure.
If Boston wins again, it’s lights out; they advance. If they lose — reset. Game 3 is coming to New York and our hearts get crushed one more time.
Here’s hoping Bello can channel some Crochet magic. But if he messes up early? The bullpen will be on suicide watch.
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