BALTIMORE -- Garrett Crochet gave the Boston Red Sox an immediate return on their investment.
In his first start since agreeing to a $170 million, six-year contract, the left-hander pitched a career-best eight innings as the Red Sox shut out the Baltimore Orioles 3-0 on Wednesday night. Crochet also threw 102 pitches, one shy of his career high.
"My first start in college I went eight, and I haven't sniffed it since," Crochet said.
Crochet (1-0) allowed four hits and a walk while striking out eight in his first victory since the offseason trade that sent him from the Chicago White Sox to Boston.