Cubs’ Rookie Hurler Was ‘Amped’ To Face Garrett Crochet

The Boston Red Sox salvaged the final game of a three-game weekend series against the Chicago Cubs with a late-game rally that produced a 6-1 victory.

Red Sox starter Garrett Crochet improved to 11-4 after hurling six innings of one-run ball and striking out five against a very tough Cubs’ offense. While Crochet wasn’t exactly his dominant self during his first start following the All-Star break, Cubs’ rookie starting pitcher Cade Horton had nothing but praise for the Red Sox ace when he spoke to the media after Sunday’s game.

“When you got Crochet over there, you know there’s probably not going to be a lot of runs scored,” said Horton, per Marquee Sports Network‘s Zoe Grossman.

Horton, who has made 12 big league appearances (11 starts) since making his debut earlier this season, spoke about the pressures and the excitement that comes when matching up with pitchers of Crochet and Paul Skenes’ caliber during his rookie season.

“I think, facing (Crochet and Skenes), I don’t need to get more amped up,” said Horton, per Grossman. “I think I actually need to slow myself down more, because, naturally, the energy is going to be there. It’s all about slowing the game down and controlling it from the jump.”

Horton, who earned a no-decision, looked solid during his scoreless 5 2/3 innings of work against the Red Sox on Sunday, striking out four and allowing only two hits before Cubs’ reliever Ryan Pressly surrendered a pitch-hit two-run home run off the bat of Alex Bregman in the seventh inning. The Red Sox would later add four additional runs on a pair of Wilyer Abreu home runs to avoid being swept in Chicago and seal a 6-1 victory.