This was the pitchers’ duel that everyone predicted, between Garrett Crochet and Cole Ragans. Crochet’s velocity was up, and he gave up one run through four, as did Ragans. In the top of the 5^th inning, the Red Sox offense got pesky, successfully chipping away for three more runs. A walk, a double, then three RBI singles, and the Sox led 4-1.

In the seventh inning, Trevor Story (who I had on my Dud list until this point, with 3K and 1E) broke it open with a three-run homer. He needed that—having gone homerless since April 18, and with the chatter about whether it’s time to replace him as the starting shortstop—and we needed it, too.

You might think that a 7-1 game would cruise to a drama-free conclusion, but this is baseball, folks! Crochet got himself into a jam in the bottom of the seventh. The tension kept amping up, as Crochet eventually loaded the bases with a walk, with Bobby Witt, Jr. on deck. Witt was looking to avenge an earlier strikeout. Well, Crochet took care of him, inducing a swinging-for-the-fences strikeout on a 98 MPH fastball. Sweet.

The Sox knocked in three more before the game was over, all in the eighth, with a home run by Carlos Narváez and an RBI single by Rafael Devers.

All in all, very satisfying.

Three Studs

Garrett Crochet

Crochet, our stopper, did his job. We needed this today, of all days. 7.0 IP, 7H, 1R, 0 BB, 9K

Carlos Narváez

I admit I was an initial skeptic of his game, but I’ve come to really enjoy him as a player. (In fact, I was mildly disappointed to see Connor Wong behind the plate earlier in the week. And I feel terrible about that.) Narváez hit 3-4, with a walk and a two-run homer. On defense, he caught a runner at second. He also gave a thoughtful post-game interview. He seems like a cool guy and I love his vibe.

Ceddanne Rafaela

2-5 with a double and a triple and two runs scored.

Honorable Mention

Terco (stubborn) Rafael Devers

He went 4-4, with 3 RBI, a walk and a run scored. I can’t call him a true stud while he’s in the middle of the biggest sulk the Red Sox have seen in years but I appreciate that he could tune out the static and do his job.

Some Gentle Criticism

Because it’s hard to call people out in a game that we won 10-1.

Kristian Campbell

0-5 with 3K. I’m uneasy about the number of times that I’ve listed him as a dud on the games I’ve recapped. I know he’s still adjusting.

Wilyer Abreu

He’s one of my faves, so it pains me to see him without an exuberant hit or a great catch or throw. He went 0-4 at the plate. As with Campbell, I have faith that this will pass.

Play of the Game

Trevor Story’s home run, his first since his 6 RBI game on April 18.