By Ian Browne | September 17, 2025
BOSTON — Connelly Early made a stunning Early home debut for the Red Sox, striking out seven over five innings to a standing ovation at Fenway Park. Despite his outstanding performance, Boston’s offensive struggles led to a 2-1 loss against the Athletics in the series opener.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora emphasized the team’s need to improve at the plate. “Not much tonight. We walked and had a few hits, but 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position. We just need to keep improving in those situations,” Cora said. In their last five games, the team is just 6-for-47 with runners in scoring position.
With 11 games left in the regular season, Boston (82-69) holds the third American League Wild Card spot, trailing the Yankees (84-67) and Astros (83-69). The Red Sox do hold homefield tiebreakers over both teams, but the Guardians (79-71) remain in striking distance. A revitalized offense is key to securing a postseason berth.
Shortstop Trevor Story, who had three of Boston’s eight hits and stole his 30th base, stressed a simple approach: “It’s about staying calm, taking a base hit or walking, and moving the inning forward. Less is sometimes more.”
The second inning illustrated Boston’s struggles: a bases-loaded situation with no outs ended scoreless after a strikeout from Ceddanne Rafaela and a double play by Romy Gonzalez. Despite Early’s excellence, the lead disappeared when the Athletics scored twice against lefty reliever Greg Weissert.
Early’s start, however, was historic. With 18 strikeouts over his first two MLB outings, he tied five pitchers for the most strikeouts in the first two career starts since Stephen Strasburg had 22 in 2010. Only Don Aase (1977) had previously reached a similar milestone for the Red Sox.
“What I want is to give the offense a chance to win every time I pitch,” Early said. “We need to win as many games as possible.” While the loss stings, Early’s home debut shows Boston has a bright pitching future.
