Trevor Story snapped a scoreless tie with a bases-loaded double in the sixth inning, Garrett Crochet took a shutout into the seventh and the Boston Red Sox held on for a 3-2 victory over the visiting Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night.
The Red Sox, who managed just three hits, converted three consecutive walks for three runs in the sixth off Jacob Misiorowski (1-1) for a 3-0 lead.
The Brewers answered with two runs in the seventh off Crochet (2-1), but stranded runners on second and third.
Joey Ortiz singled to open the seventh and advanced on Sal Frelick’s one-out single. Blake Perkins walked to load the bases and David Hamilton was hit by a pitch to force in a run.
Zack Kelly came out of the bullpen, and pinch hitter Christian Yelich bounced into a run-scoring fielder’s choice to pull Milwaukee within 3-2. Yelich stole second, but William Contreras grounded out to short to end the rally.
Crochet allowed two runs on five hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking out seven and walking two in a 107-pitch outing. Garrett Whitlock tossed a perfect eighth and Aroldis Chapman finished with a scoreless ninth for his third save in as many opportunities.
The Red Sox managed just two hits through five innings off Misiorowski, along with a walk and a hit batter, before the hard-throwing right-hander lost command in the sixth.
Misiorowski fanned Roman Anthony for his 10th strikeout to open the sixth, but then threw 11 straight balls and walked the bases loaded.
DL Hall relieved him, and Story lined an 0-2 pitch to left for a two-run double. Caleb Durbin followed with a pinch-hit RBI groundout to make it 3-0.
Misiorowski, who struck out the first five batters he faced, allowed three runs on two hits in 5 1/3 innings, throwing 101 pitches.
