The Yankees had no answers for Kutter Crawford on Sunday night in the Bronx.
Crawford was superb in the Boston-New York series finale, limiting Aaron Judge and company to only four hits over seven scoreless innings. The right-hander was exceptionally efficient, too, throwing only 68 pitches before giving way to the back end of the Red Sox bullpen.
After Boston’s 3-0 win, Alex Cora explained he pulled Crawford since the 28-year-old had to “grind” a bit in the sixth and seventh and the manager liked how the visitors were set up with Justin Slaten and Kenley Jansen for the final two frames. Crawford understood Cora’s line of thinking, but that didn’t quell his competitive fire.
“I wanted more, yeah,” Crawford told reporters, per MassLive.
Crawford might have felt a little anxious leaving the mound with Boston clinging to a one-run lead over the Yankees. But thanks to home-run swings from Ceddanne Rafaela and Rafael Devers (again), the Red Sox had some breathing room when Jansen toed the rubber in the ninth.
Boston, which now has a 1 1/2-game lead over the Kansas City Royals for the final American League Wild Card spot, will enjoy a Monday off day before returning to Fenway Park on Tuesday. NESN will have complete coverage of the series opener against the Oakland Athletics beginning at 6 p.m. ET.
