Friday night at Fenway Park delivered yet another thrilling chapter in the storied rivalry between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees, as the Red Sox edged out a 2-1 victory in 10 innings. The game was a showcase of pitching prowess, clutch hitting, and dramatic moments that kept fans on the edge of their seats until Carlos Narvaez delivered a walk-off double off the iconic Green Monster to seal the deal.
At the heart of the evening’s drama was a gripping duel between Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet and Yankees superstar Aaron Judge. Crochet, who has emerged as one of the premier pitchers in baseball this season, dominated Judge through much of the game, striking him out six straight times dating back to their previous meeting at Yankee Stadium. Judge, however, refused to be silenced, delivering a thunderous solo home run in the top of the ninth inning that tied the game at 1-1 and spoiled Crochet’s bid for his first career complete-game shutout.
The battle between Crochet and Judge was a masterclass in pitching and hitting. Crochet opened with a competitive at-bat in the first inning, eventually striking Judge out on a blazing fastball. By the fourth inning, Crochet was carving up Judge with a series of fastballs, freezing him looking on a pitch up and in. The sixth inning saw Crochet dial up his velocity, topping out at 99 mph to strike Judge out once again. Judge entered the ninth inning 0-for-6 against Crochet with six strikeouts, twice as many as he had against any other pitcher this season.
But the ninth inning proved to be Judge’s moment. Crochet ramped up his fastball velocity, hitting 100 mph twice on the radar gun, surpassing his previous season-high. After a full count battle, Crochet missed a fastball down and in, right into Judge’s sweet spot. Judge capitalized with a 115.5 mph blast that soared 443 feet over the Green Monster, electrifying the crowd and leveling the score.
"I think it’s not up for debate he’s the best hitter in the league right now," Crochet said of Judge. "It’s going to take a little bit extra to get him, especially the fourth time in one game." Despite the disappointment of the home run, Crochet’s performance was stellar. He pitched a career-high 8.1 innings, allowing just one run on four hits and a walk while striking out seven. He escaped a tense fifth-inning jam with runners at first and third and no outs by striking out two batters and inducing a groundout to end the threat.
Offensively, the Red Sox were limited but efficient. Trevor Story led off the second inning with a single and stole second base, setting the stage for Ceddanne Rafaela’s RBI single that gave Boston the early 1-0 lead. The Yankees’ left-hander Ryan Yarbrough kept Boston’s offense in check through 4.2 innings, allowing just the one run before the bullpen took over.
Extra innings brought more drama. In the top of the 10th, Red Sox catcher Carlos Narvaez made a pivotal defensive play, throwing out Yankees’ Anthony Volpe attempting to steal third base. The initial call was safe, but a successful replay challenge overturned it, erasing the ghost runner and shifting momentum. Narvaez has been a revelation behind the plate, throwing out three of four runners attempting to steal in the past two games.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone was ejected in the 10th inning after disputing a replay call that upheld a foul ball against DJ LeMahieu, adding to the tension of the night. Meanwhile, Red Sox reliever Garrett Whitlock delivered a scoreless inning to keep the game tied heading into the bottom half.
Boston’s final push began with Jarren Duran grounding out to second base, advancing the automatic runner David Hamilton to third. The Yankees intentionally walked Rafael Devers to set up a potential double play, but Tim Hill struck out Marcelo Mayer for the second out. With an 0-2 count, Narvaez battled and then connected on a 1-2 fastball, sending a clutch walk-off double off the Green Monster that brought home Hamilton and sealed the victory.
"He’s been a revelation," Crochet said of Narvaez. "You talk to him and you forget that he’s still classified as a rookie. It’s really special, he really calls games like he’s been doing it for 10 years in the show and his at bats at the plate late in crunch time, he just never gives in." Narvaez’s performance capped a night where he carried the team in the final inning, both defensively and offensively.
The win marked the Red Sox’s first three-game winning streak since late April and their fifth victory in six games, improving their record to 35-36. Their dominance against the Yankees this season is notable, holding a 3-1 edge in the current series and 6-2 over their last eight meetings. The victory also kept the Red Sox within striking distance of a .500 record, fueling hope for a strong push in the months ahead.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora expressed no regrets about sending Crochet back out for the ninth inning, despite the home run. "I think everyone would be like ‘go ahead and see what happens,’" Cora said. "That guy was really good on the mound and the guy at the plate, he’s really good." Crochet himself acknowledged the pressure and thrill of facing a hitter like Judge multiple times in a game. "When you’re at this level facing a guy like that makes you feel like you’re one level higher," he said. "So it’s really special."
Looking ahead, the Red Sox and Yankees will continue their three-game series with a matchup on Saturday, June 14, broadcast on FOX. Rookie Hunter Dobbins (3-1, 4.20 ERA) will take the mound for Boston against lefty Carlos Rodón (8-4, 2.87 ERA) for the Yankees. Fans can expect another intense battle in this historic rivalry as both teams vie for critical wins in the early summer stretch.
Friday’s game was more than just a win; it was a testament to the resilience and competitive fire that defines the Red Sox. From Crochet’s near-flawless pitching to Narvaez’s clutch heroics, Boston showed it can thrive under pressure, especially against their fiercest rivals. Meanwhile, Judge’s towering home run reminded everyone why he’s one of the game’s most feared hitters, capable of changing the course of a game in an instant.
As the Red Sox continue their June surge, this victory over the Yankees stands as a significant milestone, signaling a team that refuses to back down and is ready to fight for every inch on the diamond. The rivalry is alive and well, and with performances like these, baseball fans are in for a captivating summer.
