“We played the way AC would’ve wanted us to play.” – Connely Early
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 16: Connelly Early #71 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with his teammates after being taken out of a game against the Athletics during the sixth inning at Fenway Park on September 16, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
The Boston Red Sox left Camden Yards on Sunday with something they badly needed. A win. The Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-3, secured its second consecutive victory, and moved to 11-17 after a chaotic 24 hours around the organization. Chad Tracy was managing his first game since being promoted from Triple-A Worcester, and the clubhouse carried a strange mix of relief, emotion, and uncertainty.
Connelly Early gave the Red Sox the kind of start that can steady a team. The young pitcher worked into the seventh inning, holding Baltimore to two runs on four hits with four strikeouts.
After the game, Early was asked about the circumstances around the win.
The Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora and six coaches on Saturday night, a decision that stunned most of the clubhouse. Players learned about the move shortly before it became public.
By Sunday afternoon, they had to play. Early was asked how Boston responded on the field after the firings. He did not hesitate.
“We played the way AC would’ve wanted us to play,” Early said.
The words carried weight. He was saying the Red Sox honored Cora by playing the kind of baseball he valued. Early’s performance reflected that. He attacked Baltimore’s lineup, trusted his stuff, and kept working deeper into the game. It was not just a strong start. It was a composed one.
“We played the way AC would’ve wanted us to play.” – Connely Early
Sunday also gave Tracy his first win as interim manager.
The circumstances were complicated, but the response on the field was clear. Boston played with an edge that had been missing too often through the first month.
Tracy emphasized speed and aggressiveness before the game. The Red Sox backed it up immediately, stealing four bases while being caught once. Ceddanne Rafaela and Marcelo Mayer were both part of that effort, helping Boston put added pressure on Baltimore’s defense.
The offense broke through in the fifth inning when Willson Contreras hit a two-run homer to give Boston the lead. Rafaela added an RBI double in the sixth, and Mayer followed with an RBI single to stretch the advantage.
GettyBALTIMORE, MD – APRIL 26: Connelly Early #71 of the Boston Red Sox pitches in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 26, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
The win did not erase the confusion.
Before Sunday’s game, the Red Sox held a brief meeting with organizational leadership. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and principal owner John Henry were present, but players were not able to ask questions during the session.
Several players had built relationships with the coaches who were dismissed. Losing that group in late April, after a difficult start, left the clubhouse trying to process two things at once. They had to respect what was gone. They also had to support what came next.
Players did that with Tracy. Anthony spoke highly of his time at Worcester and said the group would rally behind him. Story welcomed Tracy as well, even while acknowledging the frustration around the circumstances that led to his promotion.
Now the Red Sox head to Toronto for a series against the Blue Jays. Boston is still six games under .500. There is still a lot to fix.
GettyBALTIMORE, MD – APRIL 26: Interim Manager Chad Tracy of the Boston Red Sox, left and Interim Third Base Coach Chad Epperson #81 look out over the field before their game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 26, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Early played the way Cora would have wanted. He competed. He executed. And he gave the Red Sox exactly what they needed after a difficult night for the organization.
Tracy earned his first win as a major league manager, and the clubhouse celebrated him for it. That moment mattered.
The Blue Jays are up next.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
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