When Aroldis Chapman, the Boston Red Sox closer, saw his 50‑batter hitless run snap on Wednesday afternoon, the loss felt like a gut‑punch for the Boston faithful.
The sting came early in the ninth when Shea Langeliers, catcher for the Oakland Athletics, ripped a leadoff double to end Chapman’s streak that had lasted since July 23.
Background: A Reliever’s Historic 2025 Run
Chapman entered the season with a reputation as a high‑velocity fireballer, but the first half of 2025 turned him into something more elusive: a near‑unbreakable wall. By the time the series in Oakland arrived, he had posted a 0.98 ERA, 29 saves in 60 appearances, and a strikeout‑per‑nine‑innings rate hovering just under 13. His zone‑percentage of 53.4 % and a first‑pitch zone‑percentage of 58.3 % were the highest of his career, while his walk rate sank to a career‑low 6.2 %.
Statistically, his hitless streak equaled 17 consecutive outings without allowing a baserunner, a mark that eclipses the modern‑relief benchmark set by the “Lefty One‑Out Guys” era. The streak also nudged him toward the all‑time MLB record of 13⅔ consecutive hitless innings, a line first drawn by Dennis Eckersley in 1977. Advanced metrics from Baseball Savant placed him in the 100th percentile for xERA, 98th for miss rate, and 97th for chase rate—numbers that would make even a Hall of Fame pitcher blush.
The Game: Athletics Break the Streak
Boston had clawed back to a 3‑3 tie in the top of the ninth, setting the stage for a high‑stakes showdown. Langeliers’ double put him in scoring position instantly, and after a routine line‑out by Brent Rooker, the decisive blow arrived. Lawrence Butler, the Athletics’ rookie slugger, delivered a clutch RBI single that slotted between third‑base and short, giving Oakland a 4‑3 walk‑off victory.
For Chapman, the moment was brutal. He had retired the first two batters of the inning, and his usual poise gave way to a rare glimpse of frustration. The loss marked his third defeat of the season, but more importantly, it snapped a run that had defined Boston’s bullpen dominance for weeks.
Reactions: What Boston Fans, Players & Analysts Are Saying
After the game, Red Sox manager Alex Cora praised Chapman’s “relentless competitiveness” but admitted the bullpen will need to regroup quickly. “Aroldis gave us the chance to win countless times this month. One hitless streak ending isn’t a failure; it’s a reminder how thin the margin is in this race,” Cora said at the post‑game press conference.
Teammates echoed the sentiment. Shortstop Rafael Devers noted, “We’ve seen Aroldis dominate. Tonight was a break in the rhythm, but we trust he’ll bounce back.” Across the league, analysts highlighted the statistical rarity of the streak. Former pitcher turned ESPN analyst John Schipper called it “the most impressive month ever logged by a reliever in the modern era,” adding that Chapman’s work ethic “redefines what we expect from a closer at 37.”
Looking Ahead: The Red Sox’s Critical Homestand
Boston now turns its gaze to a six‑game road swing that begins Friday with a three‑game series against the New York Yankees. That matchup carries massive playoff implications; a win could solidify the Red Sox’s position in the AL wild‑card race.
Chapman is slated to return on Friday’s opener, and his health appears sound. If he can recapture even a fraction of his previous dominance, Boston’s chances of clinching the division improve dramatically. “The next few games will define our season,” said veteran pitcher Garrett Crochet. “If we lock down the bullpen, the offense can do the rest.”
Statistical Deep Dive: Numbers That Tell the Full Story
- Hitless streak: 50 batters (July 23 – July 31)
- ERA after streak: 0.98
- Saves: 29 in 60 appearances
- Strikeout rate: 39.8 % (near 40 %)
- Walk rate: 6.2 % (career‑low)
- Zone‑rate: 53.4 % (career‑high)
Beyond the raw stats, Chapman’s PLV (Pitcher Leveraging Value) of 5.33 ranks as the highest of his career and places him sixth among all pitchers who have logged at least 500 pitches in 2025. His home‑run suppression—0.4 HR/9—matches his best season in 2018, underscoring a return to elite form after a disastrous 2024 campaign with the Yankees, where he posted a 4.46 ERA and a −0.2 WAR.
Key Facts
- Chapman’s hitless streak ended on July 31 with a leadoff double by Shea Langeliers.
- The loss gave Oakland a 4‑3 walk‑off victory in the series finale.
- Boston’s bullpen still leads the AL in saves (29) despite the setback.
- Red Sox will face the New York Yankees next, a series that could swing the wild‑card race.
- Chapman is a leading candidate for the Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year award.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the end of the hitless streak affect the Red Sox’s playoff chances?
While the streak’s end is a psychological blow, the Red Sox still hold a strong bullpen with a 0.98 ERA. The real test will be the upcoming series against the Yankees; a sweep could solidify Boston’s wild‑card positioning, whereas a loss may drop them into a secondary spot.
What made Chapman’s dominant stretch so rare in modern baseball?
His combination of elite velocity, pinpoint zone percentages, and a career‑low walk rate created an unprecedented level of control. Advanced metrics placed him in the 100th percentile for xERA, meaning he performed better than virtually every pitcher in history over the same sample size.
Who broke the streak and how?
Oakland’s catcher Shea Langeliers hit a leadoff double in the ninth inning, ending the 50‑batter run. The hit gave him scoring position, and after a routine line‑out, rookie Lawrence Butler delivered the game‑winning RBI single.
What award is Chapman likely to win this season?
Given his league‑leading saves, career‑best ERA, and the historical nature of his hitless streak, Chapman is the front‑runner for the Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year award. A Cy Young nod is improbable due to the presence of starting pitchers like Tarik Skubal and Garrett Crochet.
How did Chapman’s performance compare to his final year with the Yankees?
In 2024 with New York, Chapman posted a 4.46 ERA and a negative WAR, signaling a steep decline. This season’s 1.00 ERA and 3.3 WAR underscore a dramatic turnaround, highlighting how a change of scenery and refined mechanics can reset a career.
