URGENT UPDATE: Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman delivered an electrifying performance on Sunday, striking out four batters in a single inning, solidifying his status as one of the most dominant relief pitchers in MLB history. This remarkable feat occurred during the Red Sox’s 7-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
At 37 years old, Chapman is enjoying a “special” season, recently signing a $13.3 million contract for 2026. His dominance is evident, as he has now gone 17 consecutive appearances without allowing a hit, spanning 14 and 2/3 innings, a streak dating back to July 26. This streak ranks as the third-longest since 1901, trailing only Randy Choate and Tim Byrdak.
“This is special,”
said Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who celebrated his 600th career win during the game. “To do it at this age and where we’re at as an industry, as far as the hitters and the adjustments they make, it’s unreal.”
Chapman’s performance has been nothing short of extraordinary. He has allowed just one earned run in his past 37 games, with the exception being a solo homer hit by J.T. Realmuto of the Philadelphia Phillies on July 23. Remarkably, he retired 21 consecutive batters before an errant pitch allowed Arizona’s Ildemaro Vargas to reach base after striking out. He ultimately sealed his 29th save by striking out Jordan Lawlar, becoming only the second pitcher this season to record four strikeouts in an inning.
Chapman’s season stats are astounding, with only six earned runs allowed, resulting in a minuscule ERA of 0.98 following Sunday’s game. “He’s so nasty, and showing people he can still do a lot of great things,” said Red Sox starter Brayan Bello.
Known for his incredible velocity, Chapman has consistently thrown over 100 mph throughout his 16-year career and holds the record for the fastest pitch in MLB history at 105.8 mph from his rookie season in 2010. This season, he has also exhibited a refined pitching arsenal, utilizing sliders and splitters to baffle opposing hitters.
“It’s just something that happened,”
Chapman stated through an interpreter. “My mentality is to go get three outs and go for a strikeout.”
As the Red Sox continue to push for playoff contention, all eyes will be on Chapman, whose historic performances not only captivate fans but also signify a remarkable resurgence in his career. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.