Connelly Early’s journey to Red Sox record books included note-taking, memorable layover, meeting childhood favorite

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Connelly Early was racing through the Denver airport trying to catch a tight connection when he got the news he would make his first major league start Tuesday night against the Athletics. About 24 hours later, the 23-year-old lefty put his name in the Red Sox record books.

Early’s mad dash out west that included two flights, many phone calls and hours taking notes on how to approach the A’s lineup culminated in a historically strong MLB debut Tuesday night. The southpaw tied a Red Sox franchise record by striking out 11 batters in his first career game, and he needed just five (scoreless) innings to do so. For the second time in a couple weeks, a Sox pitcher who started the season more than one step away from the majors looked ultra-comfortable in his first taste of major league action.

“His poise on the mound tonight was fantastic,” said outfielder Rob Refsnyder, who homered in a 6-0 win. “He let out some emotion after some big strikeouts. You can’t really have a better way to start your career.”

With Dustin May quietly dealing with some forearm tightness after a wayward side session Saturday in Phoenix, the Red Sox scratched Early from his scheduled start Sunday in Worcester, where the WooSox played a doubleheader. A day later, he was on his way to Sacramento as a contingency option who might need to pitch. Even with his status in limbo, Early began looking into a solid A’s lineup that includes presumptive American League Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz and threats like Jacob Wilson, Shea Langeliers and Brent Rooker and got to work. He began taking notes on his attack plan in case his name was called.

“He was prepared, too, which was eye-opening,” said manager Alex Cora. “He did his own homework.”

By the time Early’s Boston-to-Denver flight had landed Monday night, the Red Sox had decided he would replace May and start Tuesday. Farm director Brian Abraham called Early to inform him of the news as he raced to catch the connection to Sacramento.

“My first flight was delayed so I ran over to my second flight,” Early said. “I was running through the airport and everything. Finally got seated in my seat, sweat dripping down my back and everything. I got the call… I was super pumped.”

Early then called his parents to let them know he had been called up and they, along with two of his three brothers, began the process of flying to Northern California. Those four were in attendance at Sutter Health Park along with Early’s agent, Scott Leventhal.

Early’s start day began with breakfast with teammate Payton Tolle, included a clubhouse introduction to Aroldis Chapman — who Early, a childhood Reds fan, said he had a Fathead sticker of, as a child — and pregame meetings with coaches who were impressed by the preparation that was already done. Early took the mound with a 4-0 lead after Romy Gonzalez and Refsnyder each homered in the top of the first, then took over the game, retiring the first eight batters he faced before allowing a single to Zack Gelof in the third.

Early skipped off the mound after strikeouts and pumped his fist triumphantly after recording back-to-back punch-outs of Darell Hernaiz and Lawrence Butler to escape a bases-loaded jam in the fourth. He was in total control and was removed after five innings having allowed five hits and walking one batter on 90 pitches.

“There was some traffic there but he never panicked,” said Cora. “He gave us five and that was good enough.”

Cora cited Early’s composure as the most impressive part of the night, noting how calm the Virginia product was in the dugout. The lefty credited his catcher for his success.

“The biggest thing was that Narvi (Carlos Narváez) was locked in today, like he is every single day,” said Early. “All the notes I had written down about the hitters, he was spot-on with. For him not catching me and already being completely locked in on what my pitches were and when to use them and when I like to use them, is huge.

“Those guys had never seen me, I’d never seen them, so it was mano-a-mano every single pitch.”

Early became the second Red Sox pitcher ever to strike out 11 in his big league debut, joining Don Aase, who did it on July 26, 1977 against the Brewers. Only five Sox pitchers have recorded double-digit strikeouts in their debuts, with the last being Daisuke Matsuzaka in 2007. Early was the fourth-youngest American League pitcher ever to strike out 11 in a debut. The performance left his teammates in awe.

“It was like a quiet 11 strikeouts,” said Refsnyder. “It felt like a really good outing but he just pitched really well. Now, we’re really accustomed to these big, explosive pitches. He was just very methodical in how he went about it and very impressive.

“I couldn’t believe it was 11 strikeouts because of how poised and professional he was.”

Early punched out eight of the nine Athletics starters, setting down Rooker, Colby Thomas and Butler twice each. The note-taking paid off.

“I started doing it yesterday when I heard I was getting a flight to come here,” Early said. “Then, I was super busy with everything so I finished it up this morning. I wanted to make sure I was locked in going into this outing, taking a good first step.”