KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Boston Red Sox halted the Kansas City Royals’ impressive seven-game winning streak with a resounding 10-1 victory on Saturday night. This triumph was sparked by Garrett Crochet’s remarkable performance on the mound and a commanding show by Rafael Devers.
Garrett Crochet (4-2) gave an outstanding pitching display, allowing just one run over seven innings while surrendering seven hits. He delivered nine strikeouts, allowing only a single walk. Crochet’s pivotal moment came when he struck out Bobby Witt Jr. and left the bases loaded in the seventh inning.
Rafael Devers was in blazing form, going 4-for-4 at the plate and bringing in three RBIs. In a pivotal moment during the fifth inning, Trevor Story expanded a slender lead with a significant three-run homer.
For the Royals, Cole Ragans (2-2) was handed the loss. He battled through five innings, during which he conceded four runs and seven hits. Despite the setback, Ragans showed prowess on the mound with eight strikeouts and allowed two walks.
In the third inning, the Red Sox capitalized on the moment, with Jarren Duran singling before scoring on Devers’ double. The Royals quickly responded in their half of the third, with Bobby Witt Jr. delivering a single and eventually scoring on Mark Canha’s hit after advancing to third courtesy of a balk.
Boston widened their lead in the fifth, dealing three runs through a succession of hits. Jarren Duran, Rafael Devers, and Alex Bregman all provided RBI singles, increasing the pressure on the Royals.
Further sealing their victory, the Red Sox saw Story hammer a home run with two outs in the seventh, before Carlos Narvaez contributed with a two-run shot in the eighth inning.
A crucial moment in the game occurred when Crochet resisted a score by the Royals and secured a shutdown inning after the Red Sox established a 4-1 advantage. Despite an error from shortstop Trevor Story, Crochet kept Kansas City from advancing a runner beyond first base.
In a noteworthy event amidst the game, Kansas City’s Salvador Perez marked his 35th birthday. Adding a first-inning single, Perez continued a personal tradition—claiming a hit in seven out of his last ten birthday games.
Looking ahead to the series finale on Sunday, Boston’s LHP Lucas Giolito, carrying an 8.38 ERA, is set to go up against Kansas City’s RHP Seth Lugo, who holds a 3-3 record with a 2.84 ERA.