When Connelly Early, left‑handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, left the mound with a 1‑0 lead, few in the 35,886‑strong crowd at Fenway Park could have imagined the swing that would follow. The Oakland Athletics rallied in the sixth inning, turned a one‑run deficit into a 2‑1 victory, and in doing so wrote a fresh chapter in a rookie’s meteoric start.
Game Overview: A Nail‑Biter at Fenwick
The opener of a three‑game series on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, lived up to its billing. Early struck out seven batters over 5.1 innings, exiting to a standing ovation that felt more like a benediction than a usual ‘good job.’ Yet the applause faded fast when Jacob Wilson threaded a soft infield single to start the sixth, setting the stage for the A’s comeback.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora turned to left‑handed reliever Greg Weissert (6‑6), hoping a familiar arm would shut the door. Instead, Weissert surrendered a run to Tyler Soderstrom, whose RBI single put Oakland ahead 2‑1. The A’s held on, and the final out was a strikeout, capping a game that felt like a micro‑drama of baseball’s biggest narratives.
Early’s Historic Start: 18 Strikeouts in Two Games
Early’s debut on September 9, 2025, against the Athletics in West Sacramento was a statement. He fanned 11 batters in a 6‑0 Red Sox win, tying a franchise record first set by Don Aase in 1977. That performance gave him a total of 18 strikeouts across his first two MLB starts—matching the likes of Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes from last season and joining a short list that includes Stephen Strasburg’s 22‑strikeout splash in 2010.
MLB Pipeline has already ranked Early as Boston’s No. 6 prospect, and the numbers hardly exaggerate why. In 33 total pitches during his debut, 61 were strikes; against the A’s on Tuesday, his fastball sat in the high‑90s, his slider biting hard enough to earn a whiff from the league’s best hitters. ‘He’s got a steel arm and a poise that belies his age,’ said Red Sox pitching coach Jason Beck after the game. ‘If he keeps this trajectory, we could be looking at a frontline starter for years.’
A’s Rally in the Sixth: Small Plays, Big Impact
The sixth inning began with Wilson’s infield single, a spark that turned into a chain reaction. After a routine strikeout of Nick Kurtz, the A’s loaded the bases with an error‑induced walk. Weissert, who had been dependable in a 6‑6 season, found himself staring at two men on first and third.
‘It was a perfect storm,’ recalled A’s bench coach Mike Dull. ‘The ball was finding gaps, the defense was a little shaky, and we just kept applying pressure.’ The pressure manifested when Soderstrom ripped a line drive to right-center, crossing home for the go‑ahead run. A quick double play later, the A’s held the lead, and the crowd’s roar shifted from puzzled curiosity to outright disbelief.
Red Sox Playoff Chase Falters
Boston’s season has been a roller‑coaster. At the time of Early’s debut, the Red Sox were 81‑65, a hair’s breadth behind the New York Yankees for the top AL wild‑card slot. Since then, they’ve dropped four of their last five games, dropping to a 4‑7 stretch after star rookie Roman Anthony went down with a left oblique injury on September 5.
‘We’re playing with a lot of ‘what‑ifs’ right now,’ Cora admitted in the post‑game interview. ‘The injury to Roman was a punch to the gut. We’ve got to rely on the depth we have, and tonight the bullpen just didn’t deliver.’ The loss dropped Boston to 84‑71, widening the gap to the Yankees and leaving the wild‑card picture murkier than a foggy Boston morning.
Historical Comparisons: Where Early Stands
It’s tempting to compare Early to the greats who burst onto the scene with a flurry of strikeouts. The most direct parallel is the 2010 rookie Stephen Strasburg, whose 22 strikeouts in his first two starts set a modern benchmark. Early’s 18 puts him in an elite tier that includes the 2024 Pirates phenom Paul Skenes (also 18) and the 1977 Red Sox legend Don Aase, who remains the only other Boston pitcher with 18+ strikeouts in his first two outings.
In the broader context of MLB history, only a handful of pitchers have ever eclipsed 15 strikeouts in each of their first two starts. That tally includes the likes of Fernando Valenzuela and more recently, Sandy Koufax’s early years—both of whom went on to Hall of Fame careers. Whether Early can sustain this early dominance remains to be seen, but the statistical foundation is undeniably solid.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Both Teams?
The series continues on Thursday at Fenway, where the Red Sox will look to rebound. Cora hinted that he might give the bullpen a fresh look, possibly bringing in right‑hander Chris Martin to avoid the left‑hand/left‑hand matchup that plagued Tuesday.
For Oakland, the win injects confidence into a clubhouse that has been scrapping for consistency all season. Manager Bob Melvin praised his team’s resilience: ‘We’ve been told we’re a ‘good‑looking roster.’ Tonight we proved we’re a good‑looking team when it matters.’ The A’s will travel to Seattle for the final game of the series, hoping to keep the momentum rolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Connelly Early’s strikeout record impact the Red Sox’s playoff hopes?
Early’s early dominance gives Boston a reliable starter, which is crucial as the wild‑card race tightens. However, the bullpen’s inconsistency, highlighted by Weissert’s outing, remains a bigger obstacle to securing wins in close games.
Who were the key contributors to the Athletics’ comeback?
Jacob Wilson’s leadoff single started the rally, and Tyler Soderstrom delivered the decisive RBI hit. Reliever Greg Weissert faltered, and the A’s defense held the lead after the sixth.
What does Roman Anthony’s injury mean for Boston’s offense?
Anthony’s left oblique strain has stripped Boston of a dynamic leadoff bat. The team has struggled to replace his 30‑plus stolen bases and elite on‑base skills, contributing to the recent offensive slump.
How does this game compare to previous rookie debut performances in Red Sox history?
Early’s 11‑strikeout debut ties Don Aase’s 1977 record, making it one of only two such performances in franchise history. Both pitchers also posted a shutout win in their first start, a rare feat for any club.
What are the next steps for the Red Sox’s bullpen after the Weissert loss?
Cora is expected to shuffle his late‑inning options, possibly inserting right‑hander Chris Martin or giving a fresh look to left‑hander Dylan Cease. Consistency will be the key to surviving the final stretch.
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