Connelly Early explains impact West Point had on him
There hasn't been any time for Connelly Early to ease into his major league career. The Red Sox have known that since promoting him last week, and the same goes for the pitcher.
No matter. So far, the 23-year-old has embraced his new existence in seamless fashion. And because of it, the Red Sox are heading into Wednesday with at least a smidge more optimism about their starting rotation than they woke up with.
Early built off a standout MLB debut - in which he didn't allow a run over five innings while striking out 11 - with a second straight gem against the A's. This time, he went 5 1/3 innings, leaving with a 1-0 lead after allowing five hits while striking out seven and not walking a batter.
The rookie became the second Red Sox pitcher to ever have 18 or more strikeouts in his first two career appearances, with Don Aase managing the feat in 1977.
Early also became the first pitcher in MLB history to go as many as 10 1/3 innings with 18 strikeouts, one or no runs, and one or fewer walks in his first two career pitching appearances. (Per Elias.)
"Really good," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora of Early. "Moved the ball around. Threw strikes. He’s under control in every situation. Good job with the baserunners. We talk about facing the same lineup back-to-back. That’s a good lineup. He was able to keep them off balance. Get some strikeouts and get some big outs for us."
"I mean, just his presence out there, he looks like he knows he belongs, and he knows he can pitch out there, with the best in the game," said Trevor Story of the rookie starter. "So he just reminds me of someone that is very confident in himself. He has four or five really good pitches, and he knows he does. (He) feels like he's kind of a pitcher's pitcher. He's got good stuff, but he's also locating. And he knows what he wants to do with it."
That was one potential problem that seemingly went a long way toward being solved. Unfortunately for the Red Sox, some other holes in the boat continued to spring leaks.
That reminder came in the form of a 2-1 loss to the Athletics, Tuesday night at Fenway Park.
Ultimately, Early was charged with his first major league run after Greg Weissert surrendered a two-out RBI double off the wall by pinch-hitter Tyler Soderstrom. It was the fourth inherited runner Weissert has allowed to score in five chances since Aug. 1.
The A's proceeded to take the lead when Brett Harris lined a run-scoring single into left field off Weissert, scoring Soderstrom.
The other issue that continued to arise for the Red Sox was an inability to score runs. After initially getting out to a 1-0 lead on a Carlos Narvaez double to center field, which Lawrence Butler misplayed into a score for the hosts, there was little in the way of offensive aggression.
The Red Sox were held to zero or one run for the fourth time in their last 11 games, and are batting just .128 (6-for-47) with runners in scoring position over the last five contests. Not good.
And with the inability to capitalize with runners in scoring position, which in this game surfaced in the form of going 0-for-7 in such situations, the home run-challenged Red Sox are put in a tough spot.
In the last two weeks, the Red Sox have had the second-fewest homers in all of baseball (8), totaling just two more than Atlanta's Matt Olson during that span. And in the latest loss, Alex Cora's club managed just eight total fly balls, continuing a trend that has seen them hit the sixth-fewest fly balls in the last week.
It's certainly not how they originally drew it up.
Adjustments have to be made. Production needs to be found. All of it will be thrown in the Red Sox's face on Wednesday when the standings show them now as the third wild card team (1/2 game behind Houston), and just 2 1/2 ahead of Cleveland.
"I think when we move the line, we grind at-bats. It’s not quick outs," Cora said. "It felt at one point it was one pitch, one out, and then you put everybody else in a tough spot. It’s a one-run game. You’re looking for a pitch you can drive, but it didn’t happen. We have to make sure we slow it down, don’t get caught up in the score, and do your part. I think at the end of the day, the job is to get on base. We have been doing a better job the last three games. But with men in scoring position, we have to cash in."