The Boston Red Sox received contributions from several directions Monday afternoon, but the most encouraging sign may have been how Garrett Crochet responded after an early stumble.
Boston’s projected Opening Day starter battled through a rocky second inning before settling in, helping lead the Red Sox to a 5-3 spring training win over the Philadelphia Phillies at JetBlue Park.
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Crochet cruised through the first inning with a quick 1-2-3 frame but ran into trouble shortly thereafter. The first four Phillies batters reached safely in the second inning as Crochet allowed two singles and hit a batter to load the bases with no outs. An RBI single from Jose Rodríguez gave Philadelphia an early 1-0 lead and briefly put the Red Sox left-hander on the ropes.
Instead of letting the inning spiral further, Crochet recovered quickly. He induced a run-scoring double play and then a flyout to escape the inning with limited damage.
From that point forward, the 26-year-old found his rhythm.
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Crochet retired 10 consecutive batters between the second and fifth innings before allowing a pair of two-out singles near the end of his outing.
One inherited runner later scored on a double steal, leaving Crochet with a final line of 3 runs on 5 hits across 4.2 innings. He threw 59 pitches, struck out two, walked none and hit one batter.
Crochet said afterward he wasn’t overly concerned about the outing – or about his slightly lower fastball velocity, which sat at 94.9 mph.
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“I know the velocity will come, especially as we’re building up at this time,” Crochet told the media afterwards. “There’s going to be ebbs and flows to that — across the course of the season there will be, as well.”
The sweltering Florida conditions were also a factor.
“Good start, especially on a heater like today,” said Crochet. “I’d be pitching shirtless right now if I could. I changed jerseys after the second [inning].”
While Crochet steadied things on the mound, the Red Sox lineup provided the key swing of the game.
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Feb 26, 2026; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet (35) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at JetBlue Park at Fenway South. (Jim Rassol/Imagn Images)
Nick Sogard delivered Boston’s biggest offensive moment, launching a three-run homer in the third inning that flipped the game and put the Red Sox ahead 4-2.
The blast highlighted another strong spring moment for the versatile infielder, who is once again competing for a roster spot.
Over the past two seasons, Sogard has bounced repeatedly between Boston and Triple-A Worcester. That experience has shaped how he approaches the uncertainty of spring roster battles.
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“Really trying to just take care of what I can take care of and play good baseball,” Sogard told the media after the win. “And then let everything else just fall where it falls.”
With Romy Gonzalez sidelined indefinitely by a shoulder injury, at least one bench or infield spot remains open entering the final weeks of camp. Sogard and fellow infielder Andruw Monasterio are among the candidates competing for that role.
Manager Alex Cora acknowledged the crowded competition but praised Sogard’s professionalism.
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“He’s a pro,” Cora told the media postgame. “If he breaks camp with us, he’ll do it. If not, he’ll be prepared.”
Boston’s bullpen also impressed Monday, with rookie relievers Ryan Watson and Tyler Samaniego each delivering scoreless innings as they continue their bids to make the Opening Day roster.
The Red Sox will return to action Tuesday when Sonny Gray is scheduled to start against the Detroit Tigers.
Mar 4, 2026; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox infielder Nick Sogard (20) is tagged out at the plate by New York Yankees catcher Miguel Palma (82) to complete a double play in the eighth inning at JetBlue Park at Fenway South. (Jim Rassol/Imagn Images)
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Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He’s a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.