Final: Boston Red Sox 2, Cincinnati Reds 3 - Red Sox lose lead in 6th inning after shutout performance by Connelly Early

Game Notes:

1. Connelly Early Pitching Performance: Boston's rookie left-handed pitcher Connelly Early made his 2026 season debut, and he executed. The Virginia University product pitched 5.1 innings, allowing only one earned run and striking out six batters. Early's standout performance was spoiled in the sixth inning when Greg Weissert allowed a game-winning three-run home run to Eugenio Suarez.

2. Early hot start for Wilyer Abreu. After hitting his first home run of the season yesterday, Wilyer Abreu followed it up today going 3-for-4 with a home run, double and single. Willer's two-run home run were the only runs scored by the Red Sox.

3. Cold hitting. Trevor Story and Roman Anthony failed to make it on base in today's game, as both batters recorded two strikeouts. Caleb Durbin has started his season with the Red Sox cold, as he has yet to record his first hit with the Red Sox, also going 0/4 with two strikeouts.

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WHO: Red Sox (1-1) vs Reds (1-1)
WHEN: 1:40 p.m.
WHERE: Great American Ballpark
SERIES TO DATE: (1-1), (1-1)
STARTING PITCHERS: LHP Connelly Early vs. RHP Rhett Lowder
TV/RADIO: NESN, MLB Network, WEEI-FM 93.7

LIVE BOX

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Roman Anthony (L) DH
Trevor Story (R) SS
Jarren Duran (L) CF
Willson Contreras (R) 1B
Wilyer Abreu (L) RF
Caleb Durbin (R) 3B
Masataka Yoshida (L) LF
Marcelo Mayer (L) 2B
Connor Wong (R) C

SP Connelly Early

REDS

TJ Friedl (L) LF
Matt McLain (R) 2B
Elly De La Cruz (S) SS
Sal Stewart (R) DH
Eugenio Suárez (R) 3B
Spencer Steer (R) 1B
Dane Myers (R) CF
Tyler Stephenson (R) C
Noelvi Marte (R) RF

SP Rhett Lowder

WHAT'S UP

The Boston Red Sox play their final game of their series in Cincinnati with Connelly Early on the mound for the rubber match.

Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval will each throw 4 innings in Fort Myers on Monday, manager Alex Cora said.

Masataka Yoshida will start in the left field. Ceddanne Rafaela will be on the bench.