BOSTON -- In recent seasons for the Red Sox, a pitcher turning in a second consecutive sparkling start like Connelly Early did to open a career would be the story of the game.

But this stretch run in Boston is different in that the final score at this late juncture of the season is what matters most.

A recent rut for the Red Sox, particularly on offense, continued into Tuesday night’s 2-1 defeat to the Athletics in the opener of a three-game series.

Manager Alex Cora’s club, trying to lock down its first postseason appearance since 2021, has lost four out of five and is 4-7 since star rookie Roman Anthony went down with a left oblique injury that is likely to keep him out until at least the end of the regular season.

Early, Boston's No. 6 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, did

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