BOSTON — Instant reactions as rookie Connelly Early ’s strong outing is cut short at 80 pitches and the Red Sox (82-69) suffer a tough 2-1 loss to the A’s at Fenway:

1) The Sox are at a point of the season where they have no choice to ride a couple rookie pitchers knowing that workload is a concern . It clearly was Tuesday when a very strong Early performance ended after 80 pitches in the sixth inning. With one out and a runner on first, Cora turned to Greg Weissert to protect a 1-0 lead. It didn’t work.

Weissert struck out Brent Rooker in a right-on-right matchup, then was a strike away from the end of the inning when pinch-hitter Tyler Soderstrom doubled off the Green Monster and tied the game. Weissert then walked Carlos Cortes and allowed an RBI single to Brett Harris as the A

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