Kutter Crawford makes confession after great performance against Yankees

The Yankees had no answer for Kutter Crawford Sunday night in the Bronx.

Crawford was superb in the last series between Boston and New York, limiting Aaron Judge and Co. to just four hits in seven scoreless innings. The right-hander was also exceptionally efficient, throwing just 68 pitches before being moved to the back of the Red Sox bullpen.

After Boston’s 3-0 win, Alex Cora said he pulled Crawford because the 28-year-old had to “work hard” in the sixth and seventh innings and the manager liked the way the visitors were set up with Justin Slaten and Kenley Jansen in the final two innings. Crawford understood Cora’s line of thinking, but it didn’t stifle his competitive spirit.

“I wanted more, yeah,” Crawford told reporters, according to MassLive.

Crawford may have felt a little nervous as he left the mound as Boston clung to a one-run lead over the Yankees. But thanks to home runs by Ceddanne Rafaela and Rafael Devers (again), the Red Sox got some breathing room when Jansen homered in the ninth inning.

Boston, which now has a 1 1/2 game lead over the Kansas City Royals for the final American League wild-card spot, will have a day off Monday before returning to Fenway Park Tuesday. NESN will provide complete coverage of the series opener against the Oakland Athletics starting at 6 p.m. ET.