Pink Sox starter Kutter Crawford had a chilly view of Alex Verdugo’s game-sealing play on Saturday

Pink Sox

Crawford was having fun with an ice tub after pitching 5 2/3 innings when Verdugo made the throw that received the Pink Sox the sport.

Kutter Crawford earned the win on Saturday.

Pink Sox beginning pitcher Kutter Crawford was cooling down proper when Saturday’s sport in opposition to the Blue Jays reached its hottest second. 

Crawford, who began Saturday’s sport, was within the chilly tub within the Pink Sox’ locker room when Alex Verudgo’s throw from proper discipline obtained Bo Bichette out at house plate to stop the tying run from scoring and get the ultimate out of the sport, securing a 7-6 win. 

As Crawford was “watching it unfold” on the tv in entrance of the chilly tub, he went via a little bit of a curler coaster of feelings because it appeared Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s single to proper discipline would rating the runners on second and third to tie the sport up. 

“I knew that ball was hit onerous and [Verdugo] wanted to make throw. Dugie did that. He put it proper on the cash,” Crawford stated. “I feel Bichette, he hesitated. However he was out both method. So it’s type of a curler coaster of feelings there. However glad Dugie made the great throw and we obtained him out.”

Verdugo additionally sensed one thing just like Crawford as his throw beat Bichette by a minimum of a number of ft. 

“Vladdy hit it onerous and on the turf, the ball is skipping. So you recognize you’re going to get it fast,” Verdugo instructed reporters. So for me, I didn’t suppose he was going to go. However we nonetheless did all the things the identical like if he was. Simply put the throw proper there. Lengthy hop it. No motive to get loopy with it. Simply attempt to do away with it as fast as I can and throw it proper on the cash. And we have been in a position to do this.”

Verdugo’s throw house to get Bichette out secured a win for Crawford, too. The righty gave up two runs on three hits, two walks, and 5 strikeouts in 5 ⅔ innings pitched. Whereas it didn’t qualify as a high quality begin, the Sox wanted it as their rotation has been marred with accidents as of late, resulting in Crawford getting begins. 

It was additionally arguably one in every of Cawford’s greatest stats of the season. Previous to Saturday, Crawford was 2-3 with a 5.70 ERA within the first seven begins he made. 

Despite the fact that Verdugo’s play was thrilling sufficient to trigger a jolt of pleasure, Crawford remained calm within the chilly tub. 

“No, no,” Crawford instructed reporters when requested if he celebrated the play. “I used to be within the chilly tub so my physique was a bit stiff.”