Connelly Early ties Red Sox strikeout record, makes MLB history in debut

Home runs dont travel 463 feet every game.Indeed, Rob Refsnyders three-run homer in the first inning of Tuesdays 6-0 win over the Athletics was both the longest of his career and by a Red Sox player this year.But left-hander Connelly Earlys big-league debut was unlike anything seen in this organization in over 48 years, as he struck out 11 men to tie Don Aases franchise record for a debuting pitcher.It was also unlike anything ever seen before in Major League Baseball.Of the 23,599 players in MLB history, Early is only the 17th pitcher to fan at least 11 batters in his debut, and the ninth to do so without allowing a run.

The late, great Red Sox legend Luis Tiant also punched out 11 in his MLB debut, but with Cleveland on July 19, 1964.

His performance was exactly four years after Hall of Famer Juan Marichal racked up 12 in his first career game on July 19, 1960.

Before Early, the most recent debut of this ilk was Freddy Peralta of the Milwaukee Brewers on May 13, 2018.Every other pitcher on this list needed at least 5.1 innings to reach 11 strikeouts, though.

Early needed 4.2 innings.It was amazing, just a bunch of joy, Early told NESNs Jahmai Webster.Early allowed five hits and one walk, but he retired the first eight As batters before Zack Gelofs two-out single in the third (including four consecutive strikeouts between the last out of the first and end of the second inning).

The 23-year-old Sox southpaw was unflappable as he finished each of his last three innings despite frequent traffic on the bases; he struck out Brent Rooker to strand two in the third, got Lawrence Butler swinging to leave the bases loaded in the fourth, and worked around Gelofs leadoff walk and stolen base to finish the fifth.He was really good, manager Alex Cora told reporters.

He was prepared too, which was eye-opening.

He did his own homework, went through it with the coaching staff, and executed.

There was some traffic there, but he never panicked...

He was outstanding.Asked what stood out to him about Early, Cora said, The composure, to be honest with you.Getting to know all these kids, man.

Like last year, everybody was talking about the position players, and if you look this year, how many pitchers have impacted this team, thats what makes it special, Cora continued.

Everybody was talking about the No.

1 farm system because of the three players that have contributed this year, but theres more.

And theres more players down there.Early threw 90 pitches 61 for strikes and racked up 19 swing-and-misses.

He is the first Red Sox pitcher with at least five scoreless innings in his debut since Tanner Houck on Sept.

15, 2020.Fans watch as Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Connelly Early warms up before a baseball game against the Athletics as he makes his MLB Debut, Tuesday, Sept.

9, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif.

(AP Photo/Scott Marshall)Early also appreciated being able to pitch with his team on top from the start.

The Boston bats jumped out to an immediate 5-0 lead against ex-Red Sox lefty Jeffrey Springs in the first two innings.

Romy Gonzalez extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a leadoff home run, the first of four straight hits for the Red Sox in the top of the first; Alex Bregman and Trevor Story followed with back-to-back singles.

Story then extended his perfect stolen-base mark to 28 for 28, extending his Red Sox and American League records and putting him two shy of Trea Turners MLB record 30 for 30 season with the 23 Phillies.Refsnyders 463-footer made it 4-0 before Springs could record the first out of the game.Against lefties weve been struggling and weve been mixing and matching (the lineup), Cora said.

Last night I was talking to (coach Kyle Hudson) and I was like, You know what? Were gonna put the big boys up there and see what happens, and they did an amazing job.Gonzalez doubled to bring in another run in the second, but was then replaced by Nathaniel Lowe for the bottom of the inning.

The scorching-hot Gonzalez exited with right knee soreness, the Red Sox announced.

Cora later clarified that Gonzalez is day to day.Springs recovered and retired the visiting lineup 1-2-3 in the third, fourth and fifth.

Refsnyders leadoff single and Jarren Durans double knocked Springs out of the game two batters into the sixth, but Boston didnt capitalize on that scoring opportunity.

They plated only one additional run, in the eighth.Greg Weissert, Justin Slaten, Steven Matz and Chris Murphy ensured Early would not only get the win, but preserved the shutout.The Red Sox have won 81 games, matching last years season total.Facts and figuresThe Red Sox are 81-65, including a three-game win streak.

Tuesdays win improved their road record to 37-37.Alex Cora is one game away from tying Pinky Higgins (1,119) for third-most games managed in Red Sox history.The Red Sox and Yankees are tied for second in the American League East, three games back of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Boston and New York are tied for the top AL Wild Card, with a 3.5-game lead on the rest of the contending teams..

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