Connelly Early struck out 11 to tie the Red Sox record for a major league debut, and Boston beat the Athletics 6-0 Tuesday night to close on the New York Yankees for the top American League wild card.

The Sox took the first two games of the series with a pair of shutouts, including last night’s 6-0 win that saw Connelly Early strike out 11 in his big league debut. The lefthander was summoned to start in place of Dustin May, who was placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow neuritis.