Final: Boston Red Sox 3, Cincinnati Reds 0 - Crochet pitches six shutout innings in Opening Day win

The Boston Red Sox shutout the Cincinnati Reds on Opening Day with a 3-0 win at Great American Ballpark.

Today saw a pitcher's duel between two lefty starters. Garrett Crochet and Andrew Abbott pitched shutout campaigns for six consecutive innings. Once the game turned into a bullpen battle, the Red Sox came out victorious scoring three runs between the seventh and ninth innings.

Through the first six innings of the game, both sides had chances with runners on base, but their starting pitching prevented any runs. Against Abbott, the Red Sox has seven hits but failed to score stranding runners on base through multiple innings.

Crochet cruised through his first five innings of play, but he faced a road block in the sixth inning. In that inning, Crochet loaded the bases with one out, allowing one walk and two consecutive hits. However, Boston's ace got through the jam with two strikeouts to keep the game scoreless.

After another scoreless inning from Abbott, the Reds turned to their bullpen in the seventh inning. To lead off the inning, Marcelo Mayer came off the bench in place of Isaiah Kiner-Falefa, and the 2021 fourth overall pick delivered a leadoff double. Carlos Narvaez then dropped down a put to put Mayer at third base, and Ceddanne Rafaela followed up with an RBI base hit up the middle for the first run of the game.

The Red Sox also turned to the bullpen in the seventh inning. Justin Slaten started by pitching a scoreless seventh inning. Garrett Whitlock then came in for the eighth inning, and he stranded two runners on base to keep the Reds scoreless heading into the ninth inning.

In the ninth inning, the Red Sox added insurance runs. With two outs and two runners on base, Trevor Story drove in the game's second run with an RBI single. One at-bat later, Jarren Duran also added an RBI single to make it a 3-0 game.

Alex Cora brought in Aroldis Chapman to pick up the save, and the reigning AL Reliever of the Year pitched a 1-2-3 outing to give the Red Sox their first win of the season.

Despite only recording one extra base hit, the Red Sox collected 12 total hits on the game, being competitive in nearly every inning. Roman Anthony went 3-for-4 with three single today, while Mayer and Duran both recorded multiple hits. 

Most importantly, Crochet started his 2026 campaign with a strong out, striking out eight batters and allowing three hits and two walks through six innings.

The Red Sox will be off tomorrow, but they'll continue their series against the Reds on Saturday. First pitch will be at 4:10 p.m.

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WHO: Red Sox (0-0) at Cincinnati Reds (0-0)
WHEN: 4:10 p.m.
WHERE: Great American Ballpark
SERIES TO DATE: (0-0), (0-0)
STARTING PITCHERS: LHP Garrett Crochet (18-5, 2.59 in 2025) vs. LHP Andrew Abbott (10-7, 2.87 in 2025)
TV/RADIO: NESN, MLB Network, WEEI-FM 93.7

LIVE BOX

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Roman Anthony (L) LF
Trevor Story (R) SS
Jarren Duran (L) DH
Willson Contreras (R) 1B
Caleb Durbin (R) 3B
Wilyer Abreu (L) RF
Isiah Kiner-Falefa (R) 2B
Carlos Narváez (R) C
Ceddanne Rafaela (R) CF

SP Garrett Crochet

REDS

TJ Friedl (L) CF
Matt McLain (R) 2B
Elly De La Cruz (S) SS
Sal Stewart (R) 1B
Eugenio Suárez (R) DH
Spencer Steer (R) LF
Tyler Stephenson (R) C
Noelvi Marte (R) RF
Ke'Bryan Hayes (R) 3B

SP Andrew Abbott

WHAT'S UP

The Boston Red Sox begin their 2026 MLB season in Cincinnati with Garrett Crochet on the mound.

Crochet today will making his 3rd consecutive Opening Day start today (2024-CWS, 2025-BOS).

Marcelo Mayer is on the bench to start the season, as Alex Cora elected to start Isaiah Kiner-Filefa at second base and bat against left starting pitcher Andrew Abbott.

5 players have made their 1st career Opening Day roster: Roman Anthony, Caleb Durbin, Connelly Early, Marcelo Mayer, and Ryan Watson.