Red Sox waste Connelly Early's Babe Ruth-esque start in opening series loss

Rookie pitcher's dominant outing not enough as Boston's bats struggle against Cincinnati Reds

Mar. 29, 2026 at 8:28pm

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The Boston Red Sox dropped the opening series against the Cincinnati Reds despite a standout performance from 23-year-old rookie pitcher Connelly Early, who pitched 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts - the youngest Red Sox starter to do so in the first three games of a season since Babe Ruth in 1916. However, the Red Sox offense was held in check, going 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and leaving nine men on base in the 3-2 loss.

Why it matters

The Red Sox were hoping to get off to a strong start this season after missing the playoffs in 2025, but the opening series loss is a disappointing start. Connelly Early's impressive debut provided a bright spot, but the inability of the Red Sox bats to capitalize proved costly. This early setback raises questions about the team's offensive production and whether they have the pieces to contend in the AL East.

The details

Connelly Early, a 23-year-old Red Sox rookie, turned in a dominant performance, pitching 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts. He's the youngest Red Sox starter to strike out at least five batters and allow no more than one run in one of the first three games of a season since Babe Ruth in 1916. However, the Red Sox offense struggled, going 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and leaving nine men on base. A three-run homer by Reds slugger Eugenio Suárez in the sixth inning proved to be the difference as the Red Sox fell 3-2.

  • Connelly Early, at 23 years and 360 days old, was the youngest Red Sox pitcher to start one of the first three games of the season since Jeff Sellers in 1987.
  • Early's performance put him in conversation with baseball legend Babe Ruth, who was the last Red Sox starter under 24 to strike out at least five batters and allow no more than one run in one of the first three games of a season (1916).

The players

Connelly Early

A 23-year-old rookie pitcher for the Boston Red Sox who turned in a dominant performance, pitching 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts in the opening series loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

Babe Ruth

A legendary baseball player who was the last Red Sox starter under 24 to strike out at least five batters and allow no more than one run in one of the first three games of a season, which Connelly Early matched in 2026.

Eugenio Suárez

A slugger for the Cincinnati Reds who hit a decisive three-run homer in the sixth inning to give the Reds a 3-2 lead, which they held on to win the game.

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What they’re saying

“It's been 100 years since the Red Sox saw a start like the one Connelly Early turned in Sunday afternoon.”

— Gabrielle Starr, Author

What’s next

The Red Sox will look to bounce back in their next series against the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, where they will hope their offense can provide more run support for their young pitching staff.

The takeaway

Connelly Early's impressive debut was overshadowed by the Red Sox's inability to capitalize on his strong outing, raising early concerns about the team's offensive production and their ability to compete in the tough AL East. The Red Sox will need to find a way to get their bats going if they hope to rebound from this opening series loss and make a playoff push this season.