Garrett Crochet strikes out 12, Red Sox beat Braves

Garrett Crochet threw seven strong innings and struck out a season-high 12 batters to help the visiting Boston Red Sox to a 3-1 win over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday in the rubber game of their three-game series.

Crochet (5-4) allowed two or fewer runs for the seventh straight game and the 11th time this season. He gave up five hits, walked two and lowered his ERA to 1.98. Crochet fell one short of his career high for strikeouts but took over the American League lead with 101.

The Boston bullpen completed the game without further damage. Greg Weissert pitched a perfect eighth inning and Aroldis Chapman worked a scoreless ninth to earn his ninth save. Over the last 25 games, Boston relievers have posted a 2.89 ERA (33 earned runs in 102 2/3 innings).

The Red Sox got all the runs they needed in the first inning thanks to Trevor Story. With the bases loaded and two out, Story drove a sinker 413 feet off the top of the fence in center field to drive in Rafael Devers, Abraham Toro and Marcelo Mayer. Story, who had a two-run homer on Friday, was 2-for-3 with a walk.

Atlanta starter Bryce Elder (2-3) shut down the Boston bats after the first inning. Elder, recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to make the start, worked 5 1/3 innings and allowed three runs on six hits, three walks and four strikeouts.

The Atlanta bullpen completed the final 3 2/3 innings and struck out eight - five by Aaron Bummer in two innings and two by Raisel Iglesias in one inning.

The Braves scored their only run in the bottom of the first. Marcell Ozuna clubbed his 10th homer, an opposite-field solo shot into the right-field stands.

The Red Sox placed right-hander Justin Slaten on the 15-day injured list retroactive to May 29 with right shoulder inflammation and recalled right-hander Luis Guerrero from Triple-A Worchester.

--Field Level Media