Garrett Crochet Struggles in Career-Worst Outing as Red Sox Fall to Twins

The Boston Red Sox were left searching for answers Monday night after left-hander Garrett Crochet delivered the worst start of his major league career in a lopsided 13-6 loss to the Minnesota Twins. What is typically a strength of Boston’s rotation instead became an unexpected collapse at the top of the staff.

Crochet, usually regarded as one of the most dependable arms in the Red Sox rotation, struggled to find any rhythm from the opening inning. The Twins capitalized early and often, turning what was expected to be a competitive matchup into a one-sided contest.

By the time his night ended, Crochet had allowed 11 runs—10 of them earned—across just 1.2 innings of work. He failed to record a single strikeout while surrendering nine hits and three walks, marking a dramatic departure from his usual efficiency on the mound.

The performance caused his season ERA to spike sharply from a solid 3.12 to a far more concerning 7.58, underscoring just how severe the outing was in the context of his year.

1. Early Breakdown On The Mound

From the outset, Crochet appeared out of sync, missing his spots and falling behind hitters in key counts. Minnesota’s lineup quickly recognized the lack of command and began stringing together consistent contact. Rather than overpowering hitters as he often does, Crochet found himself defending against extended at-bats. The Twins’ disciplined approach forced him deeper into the zone, where mistakes were punished with authority. Each inning brought more damage as Boston struggled to slow the momentum. The inability to generate swing-and-miss pitches stood out as one of the defining issues of the night. By the time the second inning ended, the outing had already slipped beyond recovery, forcing the Red Sox to turn the game over to their bullpen far earlier than planned.

2. Velocity Drop Raises Concerns

After the game, Crochet acknowledged that something felt off physically, particularly with his velocity. He noted that his fastball lacked its usual life, a factor that became increasingly apparent as the outing progressed. Typically sitting around the mid-90s, Crochet’s fastball showed a noticeable dip in effectiveness throughout the night. Reports indicated that even his peak velocity hovered near his usual range, but without consistent carry or movement. One of the most concerning moments came on a home run allowed to Ryan Kreidler, where his four-seam fastball was clocked at approximately 92.7 mph. The pitch was well below his standard effectiveness and represented a significant drop in quality. The velocity decline raised immediate questions about whether Crochet may be dealing with an underlying physical issue, or whether the start was simply an outlier performance in a long season.

3. Searching For Answers And Resetting Focus

Following the game, Crochet offered a brief and measured reflection on the outing, emphasizing the need to move forward rather than dwell on the result. He credited Minnesota’s approach while acknowledging that he did not have his best stuff. His comments reflected a veteran mindset despite the rarity of such a difficult performance. In professional baseball, even top-tier pitchers occasionally endure starts where command and execution disappear without clear warning signs. For the Red Sox, the focus now shifts to determining whether this outing was an isolated setback or a symptom of something more persistent. With the rotation depending heavily on Crochet’s consistency, any extended dip in form would carry significant implications. Within the clubhouse, the expectation remains that Crochet will rebound, but the coaching staff will likely monitor his next bullpen session closely to assess whether mechanical or physical adjustments are needed.