Red Sox leave bases loaded 3 times in 6-3 loss to Astros

Boston Red Sox

Starting pitcher Connelly Early also threw his worst outing of the year.

The Boston Red Sox’s 20th loss was a microcosm of the 2026 season.

Boston fell 6-3 to the Houston Astros on Saturday via several failed scoring attempts and pitcher Connelly Early’s worst start of the year.

The Red Sox’ rotation problems were fatal. But the frequent inability to operate the board was an equally toxic trait.

Boston left the bases loaded to end three separate innings: frames three, five and seven. The club finished the day 2nd for 9 with the runners in scoring position.

The Red Sox drew seven runs and collected eight hits on the day, but their lineup simply couldn’t get it done, regardless of the high traffic on the bases throughout the game.

They have shown flashes of the ability to drive with runners on base. Of the three Red Sox runs, one came on a sacrifice fly and the other two via RBI singles.

However, failing to hit runs during several other opportunities they had and leaving 10 runners on base to end the evening was not a recipe for success.

Boston’s interim manager, Chad Tracy, said he was pleased with the number of times his hitters reached base, but he realizes they need to take advantage of those opportunities.

“I think if you look at the positives, we generated a ton of traffic, which is what we talked about here,” Tracy told reporters after the game. “We want to give ourselves chances, don’t we? We’ve given ourselves a lot of chances. It’s just about – when you get some of those chances, if you can hit a brace or execute it, it changes things.

“When you look up, you’re like, ‘Man, I felt like we had a ton of key players today.’ We’ve just got to take advantage.”

Early on he didn’t necessarily do his team any favors on the mound, giving up five earned runs on the day. Three of them came via Bryce Matthews’ three-run home run in the fourth inning.

The 24-year-old lefty threw 77 pitches (50 strikeouts) in four innings of work, allowing six hits, three walks, and striking out three. Early indecision was delivered.

After the game, Early said something was wrong with his start.

“I just didn’t really feel like myself.” Early told reporters. “I didn’t get my best today, so it was definitely a tough day. But at this point, it’s just getting in the training room, getting in the weight room, and attacking the next outing.”

When asked to explain why specifically he didn’t feel like himself, Early didn’t offer much information.

“I just felt a little bit,” he said.

Tracy pointed to the Astros’ talented and powerful lineup as a challenge for Early to Face, which included powerful threats like Yordan Alvarez and Christian Walker. Walker came home twice a day and once early.

“I think the story is that it was the top half of their lineup that put the bats on him,” Tracy said of Houston. “When you’re behind, you’re kind of fighting an uphill battle. It’s a good lineup, so you’re fighting an uphill battle against good hitters, and I think that’s what’s most important today.”

Early on he didn’t give the Astros as much praise.

“I mean every team has a good lineup. It’s big league level,” Early said. “I think it’s like focusing on myself. I didn’t execute my best today.”

Boston is 0-17 when down by two runs at any point in the contest this season.

The Red Sox will look to win the weekend series on Sunday at 1:35 PM ET.