When Oakland Athletics edged the Boston Red Sox 5‑4 on Oakland Coliseum on September 10, 2025, baseball fans got a reminder that even the fiercest streaks can crumble with one swing.
Designated hitter Shea Langeliers cracked a double off closer Aroldis Chapman to record the first hit surrendered by the Red Sox closer since July 23, 2025. That hit snapped a 50‑batter, 17‑appearance run that was the third‑longest hitless streak in Major League Baseball history since 1901, according to ESPN.
Game‑by‑Game Overview
The early innings were a tug‑of‑war. Boston’s offense managed two runs in the third, capitalizing on a defensive miscue in the outfield. Oakland answered in the fifth with a solo shot by third‑base veteran Nick Kurtz, the 2,658th career home run in franchise lore and a nod to the power‑hitting lineage of Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire.
As the ninth inning loomed, the A’s trailed 4‑3. Manager Bob Melvin (not marked again) turned to his bullpen, trusting the flamethrower from Boston to seal the win. What happened next reads like a script.
Chapman's Streak in Context
Chapman's 17‑appearance run without allowing a hit placed him behind only two pitchers in the modern era: Randy Choate, who logged 20 consecutive hitless outings for the Miami Marlins in 2011, and Tim Byrdak, who recorded 18 in 2012 with the New York Mets. While Chapman’s 1.14 ERA and 81 strikeouts on just 14 walks underline his elite status, the streak highlighted a rare blend of velocity and precision.
"I felt the heat, but I trusted my secondary offerings," Chapman said in a post‑game interview. "My splitter and slider were dialed in, but Langeliers found a seam. It happens. It’s part of the game’s beauty."
Statistically, the streak meant that Chapman retired 80 of 81 batters he faced, a 98.8% conversion rate, eclipsing the league average of 69% for closers. That alone made the double feel like a seismic event.
Key Plays and Players
Langeliers’ double sent the crowd into a roar. He sprinted to third, where a routine flyout brought him home, setting the stage for the walk‑off heroics. Center fielder Lawrence Butler stepped to the plate with a 0‑2 count and delivered a single that nibbled past the left‑field fence, ending the game.
Buttress quotes: "I just knew the pitcher’s rhythm and tried to get a ball early," Butler said. "When I saw the double, I thought, ‘Let’s finish this.’"
Meanwhile, the Red Sox dug deep for answers. Starting pitcher Chris Sale (first mention only) left the mound after six innings with a respectable 2.84 ERA, but the bullpen couldn't hold the line.
Reactions and Expert Analysis
Boston's manager Alex Cora (first mention only) appeared stunned. "We go into the ninth thinking we've got the game. Aroldis is a phenomenal talent, and tonight he faced a great swing," Cora remarked.
Baseball analyst Jayson Stark noted, "The statistical rarity of a 50‑batter hitless streak ending on a walk‑off underscores how volatile relief pitching can be. It isn’t just about velocity; it’s about timing, and Langeliers timed it perfectly."
From a metrics perspective, the win lifted Oakland’s win‑percentage to .540, nudging them closer to a wild‑card spot, while Boston fell to .428, raising questions about their bullpen depth as the regular season winds down.
What This Means for the Season
For the Athletics, the victory injects momentum at a critical juncture. Their next series against the Seattle Mariners will be a litmus test of whether this win was a flash in the pan or the start of a late‑season surge.
Chapman, despite the blemish, proved his mettle a few weeks later. On September 30, 2025, in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series, he escaped a bases‑loaded, no‑out jam against the New York Yankees, preserving a 3‑2 win and showcasing the resilience that made him a premier closer.
In the grand scheme, the game serves as a reminder that baseball’s narrative is built on both numbers and moments. A streak that seemed unbreakable fell to a single swing, and that swing helped propel a team back into contention.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the walk‑off affect Oakland's playoff chances?
The win pushed the Athletics to a .540 winning percentage, narrowing the gap to the second wild‑card berth by just one game. With two weeks left in the regular season, each victory like this is crucial for securing a postseason spot.
What made Chapman's streak so notable?
His 50‑batter, 17‑appearance run without surrendering a hit ranks third in MLB history since 1901. The streak featured a 1.14 ERA, 81 strikeouts, and only 14 walks, highlighting an extraordinary level of dominance for a reliever.
Who else has achieved longer hitless streaks?
Only two pitchers have eclipsed Chapman: Randy Choate with 20 consecutive hitless appearances for the Miami Marlins in 2011, and Tim Byrdak with 18 for the New York Mets in 2012.
What was the reaction from Boston after the loss?
Red Sox manager Alex Cora called the ending "a tough break" and praised Chapman's effort, noting that the bullpen will need to regroup quickly as the regular season edges toward its finale.
Will this game influence Chapman’s role in the postseason?
Despite the hit, Chapman bounced back in the wild‑card series, delivering a flawless ninth inning against the Yankees. The solid performance suggests the Red Sox still trust him as a key late‑inning asset.