Garrett Crochet K’s 11; Masataka Yoshida’s pinch-hit two-run single lifts Red Sox past Yankees 3–1 in AL Wild-Card Game 1. Chapman closes; Yankees must regroup.

Yankees vs Red Sox – In short

The Boston Red Sox stunned the New York Yankees 3–1 in Game 1 of the American League Wild-Card Series — Garrett Crochet dominated with 11 strikeouts over 7⅔ innings and Masataka Yoshida’s pinch-hit, two-run single off Luke Weaver provided the decisive blow while veteran Aroldis Chapman slammed the door in the ninth.

Why Red Sox vs Yankees mattered

This wasn’t just another Yankees-Red Sox rivalry night — it was a high-stakes postseason opening that shaped narratives for both clubs:

• Series momentum: In a short postseason series, Game 1 swings the pressure and the matchup map for Game 2 and beyond. Boston’s road win forces New York into a must-respond mode at home.
• Bullpen & depth test: The loss exposed questions about New York’s relief depth after a strong Max Fried start — an area teams often win or lose October series.
• Veteran postseason theater: Aroldis Chapman’s presence (and late escape) reintroduces postseason drama and the old-school subplot of postseason veterans vs. rising arms. That subplot will thread through the series. (Yahoo Sports)

If you care about playoff odds, bullpen construction, or managerial adjustments under pressure, this result matters — and it will ripple into lineup and roster decisions for both clubs this week.

Yankees vs Red Sox Final score

1. Final: Boston Red Sox 3, New York Yankees 1 — Red Sox lead AL Wild-Card Series 1–0.
2. Pitching headline — Garrett Crochet: Crochet struck out 11 and retired 17 straight batters in a sparkling 7⅔-inning performance that shut down the Yankees’ lineup for long stretches.
3. Decisive hit — Masataka Yoshida: Pinch-hitter Masataka Yoshida delivered a two-run single in the 7th off Luke Weaver that turned a 1–0 deficit into a 2–1 lead for Boston; Alex Bregman added an insurance RBI in the 9th.
4. Yankees starter — Max Fried: Max Fried gave the Yankees a quality start into the seventh with a 1–0 lead, but the bullpen (notably reliever Luke Weaver) surrendered the go-ahead extra-base hit.
5. Closer moment — Aroldis Chapman: Chapman, the veteran flame-thrower, closed the ninth and escaped a bases-loaded jam to notch the save, preserving Boston’s road victory and quieting a hostile Yankee Stadium crowd.

These five facts are the core items readers search for immediately after a playoff game: final, starter performances, the game-changing hit, bullpen story, and the save.

Rest up. Back at it tomorrow.

🗒️ https://t.co/6yvLibmSZi pic.twitter.com/O5jVEm6Pzd

— Red Sox (@RedSox) October 1, 2025

 

How the game unfolded — inning-by-inning narrative

Early — Fried’s control, Volpe’s solo shot

Max Fried navigated the Yankees through the early innings, and New York actually struck first when Anthony Volpe launched a solo home run to stake the Bombers to a 1–0 lead. For long stretches Fried looked in command, keeping Boston’s dangerous bats in check.

Middle innings — Crochet takes command

Boston’s Garrett Crochet took over the story in the middle innings. After an early Volpe blast, Crochet locked in: his K-fest included a run of 17 consecutive batters retired, a streak that silenced the Yankee offense and kept Boston alive until their late uprising. His low-walk, high-swing-and-miss line limited New York to one run when the Yankees desperately wanted to build separation.

Seventh inning — Yoshida’s clutch pinch hit

With the Yankees still leading 1–0, Boston’s right-handed bench move paid immediate dividends: Masataka Yoshida entered as a pinch-hitter and ripped a two-run single off Luke Weaver that put Boston ahead 2–1. The moment flipped momentum — and exposed a vulnerability in the Yankees’ bullpen during a pivotal late-season environment.

Ninth inning — Chapman closes, heart rate spikes

Boston tried to add insurance earlier, but it was the ninth that provided the most dramatic theater. Aroldis Chapman, the veteran closer with a storied postseason resume, came on to slam the door. He escaped a bases-loaded jam and struck out dangerous lefties in high-leverage spots to secure a 3–1 final and hand Boston the Game 1 victory.

[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]

 

Player spotlights — the difference makers

Garrett Crochet (Red Sox) — the early-season ace turned playoff terror

Crochet’s line — 7⅔ IP, 11 K, 4 H, 0 BB — reads like an ace’s October performance. He neutralized the Yankees’ middle slashing and returned to the mound in later innings to finish one of the most dominant postseason pitching nights of his young career. Crochet’s ability to miss bats and avoid traffic was the engine behind Boston’s upset.

Why it matters: In a short series, a dominant starting pitching outing on the road can be decisive. Crochet’s performance gives Boston both the immediate W and confidence going into Game 2.

Masataka Yoshida (Red Sox) — the veteran pinch-hit savage

Yoshida’s pinch-hit two-run single in the seventh is the textbook example of October at-bats — timely, pressure-packed, and decisive. The lefty’s calm approach off Weaver shifted the scoreboard and effectively changed the series’ complexion.

Why it matters: Pinch-hit production is a coveted skill in October. Yoshida provided the kind of veteran reliability that teams covet when every at-bat matters.

Max Fried & Yankees offense — a promising start undone by the ‘pen

Fried’s outing was solid; he kept the Yankees in front until the seventh. But the bullpen — long a point of focus for New York this season — surrendered the pivotal run on Weaver’s pitches. The Yankees’ offense had limited chances aside from Volpe’s homer, and leaving runs on base plus the bullpen slip proved costly.

Why it matters: In the postseason, starters take you so far; the depth and reliability of the bullpen and bench decide the tight games. New York must reset for Game 2.

Managerial & tactical analysis — bench decisions & bullpen usage

Alex Cora (Red Sox)

Cora’s bench and matchup choices paid off: deploying Yoshida in a spot where a contact, situational hitter could exploit Weaver’s sequencing was textbook playoff managing. The Red Sox also leaned on Crochet for a lengthy, high-leverage push — a decision that controlled the game’s flow all the way to the ninth.

Aaron Boone (Yankees)

Boone got a strong start from Fried but the bullpen sequence that led to Yoshida’s at-bat will be questioned. Boone must decide whether to tighten the leashes on certain relievers or shift matchups for Game 2 — the margin for error in a short series is zero. Managing the bullpen for the next 48 hours will be the immediate puzzle.

Tactical takeaway: Boston’s decisive move was using an experienced pinch-hitter in a high-leverage spot and trusting the starter (Crochet) to go deep. New York’s immediate corrective is bullpen clarity and late-inning matchup restructuring.

 

Advanced stats & the numbers that matter

(Use these to illustrate how the game tilted in Boston’s favor.)

• Crochet’s dominance: 11 K and 17 batters retired in succession — those strikeout and streak numbers correlate strongly with reduced team BABIP and lower opponent x-wOBA in postseason settings.
• Leverage index: Yoshida’s single came in a very high leverage moment — shifting WP (win probability) dramatically in Boston’s favor. Turning a 1–0 deficit into a 2–1 lead in the 7th pushed the Yankees into needing immediate response from the bench, which they failed to deliver. (MLB.com)
• Bullpen metrics: Weaver’s inherited situation and subsequent allowing of Yoshida’s hit will factor into high-Leverage ERA and bullpen WPA metrics; those will be dissected by analytics teams ahead of Game 2.

When you publish, embed the ESPN boxscore and WPA/Win-Probability chart to show how the series tilted at Yoshida’s at-bat and again at Chapman’s ninth-inning escape.

Injury & roster status (postgame notes)

Early postgame reports did not indicate any major injuries to headline players on either side. Both clubs will publish formal injury reports and availability lists ahead of Game 2 — watch the teams’ official sites and MLB’s beat reporting for confirmed updates.

What this game means for the series — short term & outlook

For the Red Sox

• Immediate: Boston grabs home/road advantage by stealing Game 1 in the Bronx — an enormous psychological win. Crochet’s performance gives them flexibility on rotation usage and set-up strategy.
• Tactical posture: Cora now has the option to let rotation depth rest and move to bullpen arms in Game 2 with confidence. The bench’s ability to produce clutch hits (Yoshida) is now a proven asset.

For the Yankees

• Immediate: New York must respond in Game 2 to avoid being down 0–2. The bullpen questions must be addressed quickly, and Boone needs to find better matchup solutions or message clarity for relievers. (FOX Sports)
• Longer view: The Yankees’ lineup and power remain formidable; they must translate regular-season offense into situational hitting in October and tighten late-inning relief to avoid repeating the Game 1 outcome.

Where to watch & how to catch replays (U.S. & international)

• Live / cable: Wild-Card Game 2 network rights vary by season — in the U.S., ESPN/FOX/TBS carry postseason windows depending on MLB’s current rights schedule; check local listings for Game 2 details.
• Streaming: MLB’s platform and network apps typically post condensed games and highlights shortly after the final whistle; ESPN+ and MLB.tv/NFL+ analogues carry full replays per rights constraints.
• Highlights & clips: Official game highlights (Yoshida’s single, Crochet’s K montage, Chapman’s ninth) appear on MLB.com, ESPN, and both teams’ YouTube channels within minutes. (ESPN.com)

Fan reaction & social media pulse

Social feeds exploded around two threads: Crochet’s dominance and Chapman’s ninth-inning pressure escape. Yankee fans expressed frustration about bullpen usage and missed offensive opportunities; Red Sox supporters celebrated a classic October road win that harkened back to storied rivalry moments. Local beat writers and national analysts quickly pivoted to matchup analysis for Game 2.

FAQs fans search for (short answers)

Q: What was the final Yankees vs Red Sox score?
A: Red Sox 3, Yankees 1 — Boston leads AL Wild-Card Series 1–0. (Reuters)

Q: Who was the Red Sox starter and how did he do?
A: Garrett Crochet started and struck out 11 across 7⅔ innings, retiring 17 straight at one point. (Reuters)

Q: Who hit the big hit for Boston?
A: Masataka Yoshida delivered a pinch-hit two-run single in the 7th that gave Boston the lead. (MLB.com)

Q: Who closed the game?
A: Aroldis Chapman closed out the ninth and earned the save, escaping a bases-loaded jam. (Reuters)

Q: When is Game 2 and who’s pitching?
A: Game 2 pitching matchups were announced with Carlos Rodón (Yankees) and Brayan Bello (Red Sox) lined up next — check MLB.com for exact local start times and national broadcast info. (Reuters)