Jake Bennett delivered one of the strongest starts of his young career, holding the Yankees to one run on three hits over 6⅓ innings in a 4–1 Red Sox victory. The performance—command-heavy, pitch-mixing, and backed by a career-high workload—adds momentum as th
Saturday afternoon, Bennett didn’t just slow down the Yankees—he made them look unfinished. He gave up one run on three hits over 6⅓ innings in a 4–1 victory. and by the time Max Schuemann finally broke up his run of near-total control. Bennett had already shaped the day into something the Red Sox could build on.
It was Bennett’s first time facing the Yankees in his nascent career, and the numbers read like a clean statement: one run allowed, three hits allowed, and an exit after 6⅓ innings. He took a no-hitter to two outs in the fifth inning before Schuemann drove a high fastball over the wall in center.
Interim manager Chad Tracy called the start “Very. very effective. ” and the gameplan behind it was clear from the way Bennett attacked hitters. He threw five pitches for strikes and leaned on command more than velocity—five different offerings that all produced outs. Bennett averaged 92.7 miles per hour with his four-seam fastball against the Yankees while also working a two-seam sinking fastball. changeup. sweeper. and curveball.
Catcher Carlos Narváez said. “The changeup is elite. ” and added that Bennett “has a good sweeper. too.” Narváez described the approach as mixing pitches rather than relying on one look: the Sox “tried to mix everything. ” used “a lot of sinkers early. ” then “the second time through [the lineup] mix it up some more. ” and Bennett was “able to land any pitch for a strike.”.
Bennett, for his part, credited Narváez’s plan with precision rather than power. “Narvi called a great game. Sprinkled in four-seamers at the top [of the strike zone], two-seamers down. Sweeper when needed. I just thought it was a great plan.”
The 6⅓ innings marked a career high for Bennett, as did his workload—87 pitches. Since making his major league debut on May 1. he has worked at least five innings and allowed two or fewer earned runs in four of his six starts. Through those six starts. he is 2-3 with a 3.27 ERA. including the start where he defeated the Astros in his major league debut.
Before he became a rotational piece in the majors, Bennett’s path was tied to Triple-A Worcester. When Chad Tracy was managing that team, Bennett began the season there. In his first five starts, he allowed two earned runs over 21 innings. Tracy described what made those early looks stand out: “There were outings in spring training when he was really interesting. He was up to 97,” and as he continues to mature, Tracy believes there is more velocity to come. Tracy also pointed to the way Bennett gets down the mound and how the ball moves even at 94—“the way it jumps on you.” Tracy said that even in Worcester. they’d seen “a lot of weak contact.”.
What the Red Sox are taking from this stretch is not just a one-day victory. With Garrett Crochet entering his 10th week on the injured list and still not close to getting back on the mound. Bennett could get “a long look in the rotation.” The Sox haven’t fulfilled their winter dreams of contending. but Bennett has helped fuel a modest three-game win streak and a potential sweep of the Yankees.
There’s also the trade story sitting behind all of it. That Washington had hired Red Sox assistant general manager Paul Toboni as its president of baseball operations a few months earlier made the trade puzzle easy to solve. Bennett’s season has turned that puzzle into something simpler for Boston: “It’s been such a blessing to be traded over here. ” Bennett said. “It’s a great organization. They helped me develop into who I am right now and to keep developing down the road.”.
The next turn of the schedule brings a different test, but Bennett’s role will be personal as well as professional. The Nationals start a three-game series at Fenway on Monday. Bennett isn’t scheduled to pitch, and he said he’s looking forward to catching up with some former teammates and coaches.
For now, the message from Saturday was unmistakable: Bennett isn’t just finding innings—he’s finding control, variety, and the kind of early success that changes how a rotation feels when it needs answers.
Jake Bennett Red Sox Yankees Chad Tracy Carlos Narváez Max Schuemann Fenway Park Nationals Garrett Crochet Paul Toboni