Rookie: Red Sox ‘played the way AC (Alex Cora) would want us to play’
BALTIMORE — Red Sox players arrived at Camden Yards on Sunday morning still processing the stunning news of manager Alex Cora’s firing, which happened Saturday evening. A brief meeting with chief baseball officer Craig Breslow left veterans Trevor Story and Garrett Whitlock dissatisfied with his explanation on why Cora and five other coaches were fired. Story was intent on getting a further explanation in the coming hours .
But for rookie starter Connelly Early, he needed to focus on the game because it was his start day. Early locked in and posted the longest start of his big league career to lead the Red Sox to a 5-3 victory over the Orioles . “Obviously, a bit of a shock for everybody,” Early said.
“In the past 24 hours, it’s been a whirlwind. ” Early pitched 6 ⅔ innings, allowing two runs, four hits, two solo home runs and one walk while striking out four. The 24-year-old’s previous career high was six innings, which came against the Twins in Minnesota on April 15.
“We talked within the team before the game and just wanted to go out there and play baseball and support each other,” Early said. “So I think we did a really good job today, played some really good baseball and played the way AC would want us to play. ” Early threw 32 four-seam fastballs, averaging 94.
1 mph and topping out at 97. 3 mph. He induced four swings and misses with the heater.