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BOSTON-- The Boston Red Sox kept on rolling on Friday night, defeating the Athletics 13-1 extending their winning streak to nine. Despite the offensive onslaught brought down by the Boston lineup on the Athletics pitching staff, it was rookie left-hander Payton Tolle who stole the show with his historical performance on the mound.
Tolle dominated the Athletics lineup from the very first pitch, retiring the first 12 batters he faced, nine of whom were retired via the strikeout, before giving up a leadoff solo home run to A's outfielder Tyler Soderstrom in the fifth inning, cutting the Boston lead to eight, 9-1. However, surrendering his first hit and run of the game didn't slow down the 23-year-old, as he kept on rolling, setting down the next three batters in order to escape the inning.
Aug 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Payton Tolle (70) pitches against the Athletics during the first inning at Fenway Park. Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Athletics third baseman Max Muncy led off the sixth inning with an infield single, for the A's second hit of the night. But again, the big left-hander was unfazed. Striking out the final three batters of the inning, letting out a celebratory scream as he walked off the mound, while chants of 'Tolle' rained down from the sold-out Fenway Park crowd.
As the left-hander got to the dugout, he did his best to avoid a handshake from Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy to no avail, as the Sox skipper shook his hand, ending his night.
Overall, the Red Sox' budding ace allowed only one run on two hits, while striking out 14 and walking none on just 84 pitches.
"It doesn't get that much better than that; he was electric," interim manager Chad Tracy said of his rookie starter. As for why Tolle was pulled after only 84 pitches, "I felt like with the score the way it was, and what we're trying to do to take care of those guys too, it was enough," Tracy explained.
Tolle's masterpiece is not only one of the best performances from a Boston pitcher in recent memory, but he also joined an elite group of names in the 125-year history of the franchise. According to JP Long on Twitter/X, Tolle became the second pitcher in Red Sox history to strike out 12 or more batters while walking zero at the age of 23 or younger, joining Roger Clemens, who accomplished the feat twice.
May 22, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens (21) throws out the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park. Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Additionally, his 14 strikeouts are the fifth most strikeouts in a game by a pitcher 23 or younger in franchise history, and the most since Clemens' 20-punch-out performance on April 29, 1986.
Finally, Tolle became the third rookie to strike out 11 or more batters in multiple starts since Clemens' rookie year in 1984.
Boston will look to make it 10 straight series wins on Saturday afternoon, taking on the A's in game two of three from Fenway Park. Jake Bennett (7-4, 2.90 ERA) will look to follow in Tolle's footsteps as he gets the start opposite Gage Jump (4-7, 4.59 ERA) for the Athletics. First pitch is set for 4:10 p.m. ET.
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Tolle dominated the Athletics lineup from the very first pitch, retiring the first 12 batters he faced, nine of whom were retired via the strikeout, before giving up a leadoff solo home run to A's outfielder Tyler Soderstrom in the fifth inning, cutting the Boston lead to eight, 9-1. However, surrendering his first hit and run of the game didn't slow down the 23-year-old, as he kept on rolling, setting down the next three batters in order to escape the inning.
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Aug 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Payton Tolle (70) pitches against the Athletics during the first inning at Fenway Park. Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Athletics third baseman Max Muncy led off the sixth inning with an infield single, for the A's second hit of the night. But again, the big left-hander was unfazed. Striking out the final three batters of the inning, letting out a celebratory scream as he walked off the mound, while chants of 'Tolle' rained down from the sold-out Fenway Park crowd.
As the left-hander got to the dugout, he did his best to avoid a handshake from Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy to no avail, as the Sox skipper shook his hand, ending his night.
Overall, the Red Sox' budding ace allowed only one run on two hits, while striking out 14 and walking none on just 84 pitches.
"It doesn't get that much better than that; he was electric," interim manager Chad Tracy said of his rookie starter. As for why Tolle was pulled after only 84 pitches, "I felt like with the score the way it was, and what we're trying to do to take care of those guys too, it was enough," Tracy explained.
A historic performance
Tolle's masterpiece is not only one of the best performances from a Boston pitcher in recent memory, but he also joined an elite group of names in the 125-year history of the franchise. According to JP Long on Twitter/X, Tolle became the second pitcher in Red Sox history to strike out 12 or more batters while walking zero at the age of 23 or younger, joining Roger Clemens, who accomplished the feat twice.
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May 22, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens (21) throws out the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park. Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Additionally, his 14 strikeouts are the fifth most strikeouts in a game by a pitcher 23 or younger in franchise history, and the most since Clemens' 20-punch-out performance on April 29, 1986.
Finally, Tolle became the third rookie to strike out 11 or more batters in multiple starts since Clemens' rookie year in 1984.
Up next for the Red Sox
Boston will look to make it 10 straight series wins on Saturday afternoon, taking on the A's in game two of three from Fenway Park. Jake Bennett (7-4, 2.90 ERA) will look to follow in Tolle's footsteps as he gets the start opposite Gage Jump (4-7, 4.59 ERA) for the Athletics. First pitch is set for 4:10 p.m. ET.
Continue reading...
