CINCINNATI — Next time you’re tempted to read something into spring training statistics, remember the dominant six innings Garrett Crochet pitched against the Reds on Thursday.
This one counted, and Crochet was every bit an ace in a 3-0 victory on Opening Day. He was precise, emotional, and the kind of team leader Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez, and Chris Sale were in years past for the Sox.
“I’m glad he’s on our side,” said Marcelo Mayer, who scored the run that gave Crochet the victory.
Crochet had a ragged spring training, allowing 12 earned runs over 12 innings in his final three starts and striking out only eight. He finished Grapefruit League with a 7.36 ERA.
Facing the Braves last Saturday, Crochet allowed six runs and assured reporters afterward that it was no cause for alarm.
“I felt like today was kind of like the rest of the spring. The line looked uglier than how it felt,” he said. “It feels uglier than what I felt like I deserved. Whatever.”
That’s how Reds manager Terry Francona views it. He was asked before the game about his starter, Andrew Abbott, having his own rough spring training and shook his head.
“I don’t think I’ve ever looked at somebody’s ERA or batting average [in spring training],” Francona said. “I don’t think that’s different for everybody.
“I get it when guys are trying to make a ballclub, stuff like that. But with the guys that you know are going to pitch or play for you, you want them feeling good about themselves when they break camp.”
Crochet felt just fine. He spent a lot of his time in Florida noodling around with a new pitch, a splitter that he threw only twice against the Reds.
He also was cognizant about the career-high 213 innings he threw last year counting the postseason. This was a spring training to prepare for the season, not to impress anybody like he tried to do last year when he was new to the Sox.
“It was different for him,” manager Alex Cora said.
Crochet flipped the switch for Game 1 and carved the Reds up, allowing only three runners past first base and leaving the game with a 1-0 lead. He threw 52 of 80 pitches for strikes and averaged 96.9 miles per hour with his four-seam fastball.
It was another virtuoso performance for Crochet, who has a 2.51 ERA in 33 starts for the Red Sox since being acquired from the White Sox.
Crochet’s best moments came in the sixth inning of a scoreless game.
He walked Matt McLain with one out before Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart singled to load the bases. The sellout crowd of 43,897 at Great American Ball Park came alive — and so did Crochet.
“The stuff picked up,” Cora said.
Eugenio Suárez, who hit 49 home runs last season, struck out swinging through a cutter that dove at the plate. Spencer Steer worked the count full before Crochet struck him out swinging at a high cutter.
“It got up there,” Crochet said.
Crochet spun toward the Red Sox dugout, pumped his fists, and let out a roar. He knew his day was done and that he had more than done his job.
What was Crochet thinking in that moment?
“Probably unprintable,” he said. “I just felt good. It was good to be met with opposition early and be able to answer the call.”
His teammates got Crochet the victory in the top of the seventh inning when Mayer doubled as a pinch hitter against righthander Pierce Johnson and scored on a single by Ceddanne Rafaela.
Justin Slaten, Garrett Whitlock, and Aroldis Chapman finished from there. It was the kind of pitching-and-defense victory the Sox hope will be a template they can count on this season.
“I believe we have a good offense. We’re going to score more,” Cora said. “But we will pitch.”
Crochet entertained questions after the game, then ducked out of the clubhouse to spend time with his family, including his 4-month-old daughter Colette.
Thursday was her first game, the first of many. If it was any indication, she’s going to hear a lot of stories about her first season as a baseball fan.
Peter Abraham can be reached at peter.abraham@globe.com. Follow him on Bluesky at peteabeglobe.bsky.social.