Crochet's gem leads Red Sox past Yankees in Game 1

Garrett Crochet pitched like the ace the Boston Red Sox traded for, outdueling Max Fried with 11 strikeouts over 7.2 innings of one-run ball in a 3-1 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the best-of-three AL wild-card series.

Pinch-hitter Masataka Yoshida had the winning blow for Boston, ripping a go-ahead two-run single off Yankees reliever Luke Weaver in the seventh inning. Aroldis Chapman then finished off his former team with a four-out save, striking out Trent Grisham after loading the bases with none out in the bottom of the ninth to preserve the Red Sox win.

The Red Sox can now eliminate their archrivals and advance to the ALDS with a win on Wednesday.

Crochet's 11 strikeouts were the most ever by a Red Sox pitcher without issuing a walk in a playoff game, according to Sarah Langs of MLB.com. He retired 18 of the final 19 batters he faced, including a run of 17 straight after allowing an Anthony Volpe homer in the second.

Fried dazzled in his Yankees playoff debut, allowing only four hits while striking out six and walking three over 6.1 shutout innings. However, the team's volatile bullpen imploded to spoil his outing as soon as it was summoned by manager Aaron Boone.

Luke Weaver took over for Fried and failed to retire a batter. After walking Ceddanne Rafaela and allowing a Nick Sogard double, he surrendered the game-winning hit to Yoshida before being removed.

Alex Bregman added some insurance for Boston in the ninth with an RBI double off Yankees closer David Bednar.