Fenway Park was ready to welcome its rivals one more time this month, and the Red Sox didn’t disappoint. The bleacher creatures were quiet—but why? The Yankees hadn’t scored in nine innings. Credit goes to the Red Sox pitcher on the mound. He pitched 8 1/3 innings of near perfection, struck out seven batters, and was at his most dominant. His fastball was electric, reaching the high 90s. He even struck out Aaron Judge three times—not just any batter, but a two-time MVP winner.

It was a new ace who was making Fenway shine. For more than eight innings, he was untouchable. He sliced through the Yankees’ lineup, struck out Judge at will, and left the Bronx lineup’s biggest batsmen baffled. The score stayed at 1-0 for eight innings, with both teams fighting for the win. The Red Sox scored early, and Garrett Crochet—the star of the night—shut down New York’s lineup. But on his 107th pitch, just as the crowd believed he would finish with a shutout, he threw a 100mph fastball right into Judge’s wheelhouse. This time, Judge made no mistake and went for a homer. A 443-foot homer tied the game at 1-1.

Before his ninth-inning at-bat, Judge was 0-for-3 with three strikeouts against Crochet. The Red Sox went on to win the game 2-1, but Judge was not too upset about it. In the post-game interview, when asked what he changed before his home run, Judge said, “Just use a new bat, switch it up. I think the other wasn’t working. He broke it.” Classic Judge: tough, patient, and persistent.

While talking about the game-tying home run, the Yankees captain didn’t forget to praise the 25-year-old pitcher. Appreciating Crochet’s pitching, Judge said, “He’s an incredible pitcher. 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.” Echoing what Judge said, the man in charge, Aaron Boone, also remarked on the intense clash, or in his words, “It’s two great players going at it.”

Getting Judge on his toes isn’t something anyone can do. Crochet’s performance wasn’t just exciting; he carved his name alongside some Red Sox legends. He pitched 8 1/3 innings, giving up only one run on four hits, walking one batter, and striking out seven before leaving with a no-decision in Boston’s 2–1, 10-inning triumph.

Did you know Crochet became only the fourth pitcher in Red Sox history to average at least six innings per start? He kept his ERA below 2.25 and recorded 115 or more strikeouts in his first 15 starts of a season, and earned a place next to Roger Clemens (1986) and Pedro Martínez (1999, 2000), in Boston’s rich history. But beneath Judge’s heroics and Crochet’s dominance lies a harsh reality: the Yankees have now lost to Boston three times in a row. A reality check!

Yankees wake-up call

The Yankees may look strong on paper, with a record of 42-26 and a 5.5-game advantage over Toronto and a 6-game lead over Tampa Bay in the AL East, but their three-game losing streak versus the Red Sox is a big problem. Boston, which is having a hard time with a record of 35–36 and standing in fourth place, suddenly came alive against New York. First, the recent series win in the Bronx, then a nerve-wracking walk-off win on June 13.

The Red Sox’s recent wins of 10-7 (Jun 7), 11-7 (Jun 8), and 2-1 (Jun 13) show that their rivalry with the Yankees is as intense as ever and that they are very proud of their team. Boston has been playing badly overall, but they have played their best baseball against New York. The Yankees, who are supposed to be serious World Series contenders, need to wake up.

It’s not just the standings or the momentum; it’s the rivalry itself. Judge, Torres, Stanton, and the rest of their team won’t let their sworn enemies make them look bad. In a sport based on both statistics and hearts, letting Boston win three in a row feels like going against the spirit of “Bronx loyalty.” And when Aaron Judge is hitting at .390/.485/.780 with 26 home runs and 60 RBIs, it’s not only startling; it’s not okay.

So what’s next? The Yankees need to get their confidence back, improve their pitching, and use their depth, especially since Gerrit Cole has been sidelined. The losses on Friday don’t change their course, but they do show that no team can afford to take a nap, no matter how far ahead they are. The Yankees need to make a statement that they are still the team to beat in the AL East before their next game in Boston.

The Red Sox may be down in the standings, but they are certainly on New York’s mind right now.