After Connelly Early dazzled in his major league debut in the Red Sox’ 6-0 win over the Athletics, was celebrated by new teammates in a loud postgame clubhouse, and cleaned himself up, he took a long walk back across the field Tuesday night.
Beside the dugout, his family waited, eagerly but patiently, to receive the 23-year-old lefthander who had tossed five scoreless innings and struck out 11.
Under the lights at an empty Sutter Health Park, the only sounds in the building came from the grounds crew, which was working on the mound for the next game, and the Earlys, who were laughing and basking.
Thrust into a playoff race at a moment of significant need for the Red Sox, Early arrived right on time, another in a series of prospects impacting the major league club.
Read Tim Healey's full story on Early's long, exhausting, thrilling day at Globe.com/Sports | 
