Red Sox Ace Unravels: Garrett Crochet’s Nightmare Start Against the Twins
Red Sox Ace Unravels: Garrett Crochet’s Nightmare Start Against the Twins
The Boston Red Sox suffered a catastrophic blow to their early-season momentum on Monday night as ace Garrett Crochet endured the worst outing of his professional career. Facing the Minnesota Twins at Target Field, Crochet was battered for 11 runs—10 of them earned—in a disastrous 1 2/3 innings of work. The 13-6 loss was particularly shocking given Crochet’s status as a two-time All-Star and the runner-up for the 2025 AL Cy Young Award. Crochet struggled with his command from the opening pitch, failing to record a single strikeout for the first time in 68 career starts, leaving the Red Sox searching for answers as his season ERA ballooned to 7.58.
Reflecting on the performance, Crochet was candid about his struggles. He pointed to "spotty" command and a relentless approach by the Twins' hitters as the primary reasons for the meltdown. "I've gotten away with it a little this early in the year, but tonight they made me pay," Crochet said. Despite concerns about a slight dip in his velocity, both Crochet and manager Alex Cora insisted that the left-hander is healthy. Cora noted that while it was "hard to watch" as a manager, the team had to manage the bullpen carefully, given that there are two more games left in the series.
Twins' Offensive Onslaught
The Minnesota Twins were opportunistic and aggressive against the Boston ace. The scoring began early in the first inning with Austin Martin and Luke Keaschall both delivering RBI doubles. However, the second inning was where the wheels truly fell off for Crochet. The Twins quickly loaded the bases, setting the stage for Victor Caratini, who delivered the knockout blow—a massive three-run home run off the third-deck facing in left field. It was Caratini’s first home run as a Twin and highlighted an 11-run hole that the Red Sox simply could not climb out of.
Additional damage was done by Ryan Kreidler, who added a solo shot to end Crochet's night. The Twins' lineup, featuring veteran Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa, looked completely dialed in, smothering every pitch type Crochet offered. Minnesota’s 13-6 victory brings their record to 9-7, as they continue to jockey for position in the competitive AL Central.
Team Stats and Standings
The Boston Red Sox (8-9) had entered the game with some confidence after winning four of their previous five games. Their offense actually showed some fight, putting up six runs late, including contributions from Rafael Devers and Jarren Duran, but the 11-0 deficit proved insurmountable. Caleb Durbin also saw action in the infield, though the defensive effort was marred by a few missed plays that allowed the Twins to extend innings.
For the Twins, Victor Caratini has been a solid addition behind the plate, and the performance of young players like Martin and Keaschall suggests a bright future for the Minnesota offense. The team currently ranks among the league leaders in hard-hit rate, a statistic that was on full display against Crochet.
Is there Cause for Concern in Boston?
While Alex Cora and the Red Sox staff are publicly maintaining that Crochet is healthy, the underlying metrics from Monday's game are worth watching. Every pitch in Crochet’s arsenal was down at least 1.2 mph from his season average, and he generated only three whiffs on 24 swings. For a pitcher who relies so heavily on his high-velocity fastball and devastating cutter, these numbers are a red flag. The Red Sox will need their ace to bounce back quickly if they hope to stay relevant in the AL East race, especially with the bullpen already being taxed early in the season.
What's Next for Crochet?
Crochet’s plan for now is to "flush it" and move on to his next scheduled start. The left-hander, who recently signed a six-year extension, remains the cornerstone of Boston's rotation. The Red Sox will look to Lucas Giolito and their other starters to bridge the gap in the coming days. Meanwhile, the Twins will look to build on this momentum and secure a series win against their AL rivals. One thing is certain: Monday night’s game in Minneapolis will be remembered as one of the most unlikely meltdowns for a pitcher of Crochet’s caliber.
