BOSTON — For even the most established major league pitcher, facing the same team two times in the span of a week would be a challenge.
The more you know about a pitcher’s tendencies and repertoire, the better your chances at the plate.
At least in theory.
But that didn’t seem to help the Athletics much Tuesday night. And it didn’t seem to matter that the pitcher in question was making just his second major league start.
Connelly Early is a fast learner, even if the Athletics are not. Facing the team for the second time in seven days, Early allowed just one run over 5.1 innings while striking out seven and walking none.
The fact that his teammates again couldn’t produce with runners in scoring position left him with a no-decision in a 2-1 defeat for the Red Sox.
But while the setback complicated the Red Sox’ playoff picture, there was still plenty to like about the rookie lefty.
“Really good,” said Alex Cora of his young pitcher. “He moved the ball around, threw strikes, he was under control in every situation. He did a good job with the baserunners. That’s a good lineup and he was able to keep them off-balance, get some strikeouts and get some big outs for us.”
Last week in Sacramento, Early made his major league debut and blanked the Athletics over five innings while striking out 11. On Tuesday night, he nearly duplicated that line, though he had fewer strikeouts (eight) and was charged with one run, which scored after he was lifted.
Early is the first pitcher in more than 100 years to pitch at least 10 innings with 18 strikeouts and one or no walks while allowing one or no runs combined in his first two career appearances.
“I think I did a good job attacking the hitters,” said Early. “We stuck to the game plan, changed up a couple of things and just tried to get through the lineup as many times as possible.”
Of the five hits he allowed, each was a single and two of those never left the infield. The Athletics hit only a couple of balls hard with Early on the mound.
Because they got a good look at him last week, Early had to make some adjustments to his approach this time out, and was successful in doing so.
“We used the sinker a little bit more to keep them off balance,” said Early. “I know I used curveballs and spin a pretty good amount the first time, so went to the changeup a little bit more and had it in the zone a bit more than last time.”
Whatever the approach, it worked. Early became only the 20th major league pitcher to record 18 or more strikeouts in his first two career starts and the first since Paul Skenes (2024).
“I’m trying to go out there and attack guys,” he said, “and let the chips fall where they are. Sometimes, you get swing and miss, sometimes you don’t. I’m not really looking at the strikeouts too much, more (focused) on getting guys out.”
With his pitch count at 80 in the sixth and the righthanded Brent Rooker, Cora came to get Early, who left to a roaring standing ovation.
“That was amazing,” gushed Early. “Getting that standing ovation is something I want to get every single time out there. Feeling the city of Boston standing up and cheering me on was amazing.”
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