Crochet doesn't regret Judge at-bat: 'Live and die with my best pitch' 3r382c

Boston Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet stood by his decision to pitch Aaron Judge aggressively in the ninth inning of Friday night's dramatic 2-1 victory over the New York Yankees. 224b4r

Crochet took the mound with a 1-0 lead, vying for a complete-game shutout. He'd struck out Judge in his three previous at-bats - and in six straight dating back to their last matchup - but threw a fastball in the zone on a full count that the two-time MVP crushed for a game-tying home run.

(Video source: MLB.com)

"I'm going to live and die with my best pitch," Crochet said postgame, according to ESPN. "Whether it be pitch selection or execution, tough way to end it. But overall, I felt really good tonight."

Crochet then departed the game, allowing just one earned run on four hits with seven strikeouts over 8 1/3 innings.

Aroldis Chapman recorded the final two outs of the ninth before giving way to Garrett Whitlock in the tenth. He picked up the win as Boston won on a walk-off single from catcher Carlos Narváez.

"It was a special feeling jogging back out there (for the ninth)," Crochet said. "Standing (ovation). I could tell the fans wanted me out there. I already wanted to be out there pretty bad. But it made it mean a little bit more. It made me grab a little bit more in that inning. I wish I could have finished it out. ... If my night had to end there from a home run, I'm at least glad that it was on a fastball."

Crochet has been fantastic in his first season with the Red Sox. The left-hander owns a 2.24 ERA (184 ERA+) and 1.03 WHIP with an American League-leading 117 strikeouts through 15 starts.

Boston acquired Crochet from the Chicago White Sox for a package of prospects during the offseason and inked him to a six-year, $170-million extension before the season started.

"He's an incredible pitcher," Judge said. "That's why they traded for him. He works both sides of the plate (and) has overpowering stuff. I was trying to get on base to start a rally, and I was happy to tie it."

Boston will send Hunter Dobbins to the mound opposite Carlos Rodón in the second game of its series against the Yankees on Saturday.