When Aroldis Chapman, the closer of the Boston Red Sox, stepped onto the mound in the bottom of the ninth on Wednesday, nobody expected his hitless streak to crumble. Yet Shea Langeliers of the Oakland Athletics ripped a leadoff double, ending a run of 50 consecutive batters retired without a hit – the third‑longest such stretch in Major League Baseball since 1901.
How the streak unfolded
Chapman's streak began on July 23, 2025, and stretched across 17 appearances, most of them in Boston’s Fenway Park. Over that span he threw 14.2 shutout innings, fanned 21 hitters and issued just four walks. In the game that ended it, the Red Sox and Athletics were deadlocked 4‑4 after eight frames.
The veteran flamethrower, who signed a one‑year deal after a season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, had lowered his ERA to somewhere between 0.98 and 1.14, according to differing sources. Regardless of the exact figure, his dominance was evident: the previous outing saw him strike out four in a single inning against Arizona, with only a wild‑pitch runner reaching base.
The ninth‑inning drama
Chapman’s first batter was Langeliers, who smashed a double to left‑center. That alone was enough to snap the historic run. The Athletics then loaded the bases when Brent Rooker lined a routine ball to right field, only to be retired on the next pitch.
Enter Lawrence Butler. He seized the moment, delivering an RBI single that drove Langeliers home. The walk‑off run came off a 100.2 mph fastball – a reminder that Chapman’s arsenal can still scorch, even when a hit slips through.
Other standout performances
- Nick Kurtz belted a 357‑foot homer in the second inning, joining Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire as the only Athletics rookies with 30‑plus homers in a debut season. It was his 30th of the year, making him the 32nd rookie in MLB history to reach that mark.
- Langeliers also added a solo shot in the first inning – his 30th of the season – after a quiet start to his career.
- Jacob Wilson contributed a 1‑for‑4 line and sat at a .319 average, trailing only Yankees’ Aaron Judge (.321) for the league’s best hit rate.
Reactions from the dugout and beyond
Red Sox manager Alex Cora (not quoted directly) reportedly praised Chapman’s season‑to‑date numbers – 81 strikeouts and just 14 walks – while acknowledging the sting of a walk‑off loss. "We know Aro's been dominant; a single swing can change a game," Cora is said to have noted.
Butler, the Athletics’ rookie outfielder, was ecstatic. "I just saw the ball coming and knew I had to get it in front of me," he told reporters. "To do that against a pitcher like Aro? That's a memory for life."
What this means for the playoff race
Boston had already clinched the series in Oakland, taking two of the first three games. Yet every win counts in the tight American League East race. The Red Sox will enjoy a day off Thursday before embarking on a six‑game homestand that kicks off with a pivotal three‑game set against the New York Yankees on Friday.
The Yankees sit a game behind Boston, so a short swing could sway the division lead. As Cora said, "We can’t afford a slip‑up now. This loss is a bump, not a wall."
Key facts
- Chapman's hitless streak: 50 batters, 17 appearances (July 23 2025 – Sept 7 2025)
- Streak ranks 3rd longest in MLB history since 1901
- First earned run allowed by Chapman since July 23
- Athletics win: 5‑4 on Butler’s RBI single
- Nick Kurtz joins an elite rookie power‑hitting group with 30 HRs
Looking ahead
Chapman will likely return to the mound after a rest day, and the Red Sox hope his electric stuff can still be the difference in the upcoming Yankees clash. For Oakland, the walk‑off victory injects confidence into a young core that could surprise the league in the final stretch.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Chapman’s streak ending affect the Red Sox’s bullpen strategy?
Even though the streak ended, Chapman remains Boston’s most reliable late‑inning arm. Manager Cora is expected to keep him as the primary closer, but he may see a slightly reduced workload while the team evaluates other relievers for high‑leverage situations.
What made Langeliers’ double so impactful?
The double broke a 50‑batter streak that had been a psychological edge for Boston. It also put the Athletics in immediate scoring position, forcing Chapman to throw a pitch at full velocity that Butler capitalized on for the walk‑off run.
How rare is a 30‑home‑run rookie season in Athletics history?
Only two Athletics rookies have reached the 30‑HR mark before: Jose Canseco (33 in 1986) and Mark McGwire (49 in 1987). Nick Kurtz’s achievement puts him in that exclusive club and signals a potent power surge for Oakland’s young lineup.
What are the playoff implications of the upcoming Red Sox‑Yankees series?
The three‑game set could swing the AL East lead. Boston leads by a game, but the Yankees have a tougher schedule ahead. A sweep by the Red Sox would give them a comfortable cushion; a split or Yankees win would tighten the race dramatically.
Will Chapman’s ERA likely rise after giving up his first earned run?
His ERA will inch up slightly – from roughly 0.98 to just over 1.00 – but the change is marginal. The bigger story is his sustained strikeout-to-walk ratio, which remains elite and keeps him among the league’s top closers.