Red Sox Young Left-Handers Tolle and Bennett Mirror 1949 Duo as Athletics Shortstop Sets Errorless Streak Record

Boston’s starting rotation includes two left-handed rookies under the age of 25—Payton Tolle, 23, and Jake Bennett, 25. The pairing is the first in franchise history since 1949, when 20-year-old Mickey McDermott and 19-year-old Chuck Stobbs combined for 16 wins in a season that saw the Red Sox finish second in the American League.

Both Tolle and Bennett are tall left-handers who generate a high release point, a trait the organization values; only 35 pitchers in the majors have a release extension of 6.7 feet or more on at least 500 pitches, and six of those have appeared for Boston this year, including veteran relievers Garrett Crochet and Aroldis Chapman.

The duo is also being used heavily as the season progresses. Tolle has started six of his 19 games on four days’ rest, while Bennett has done so in five of his 13 outings, prompting concerns about workload as the team approaches the postseason.

In a separate note, Oakland shortstop Jacob Wilson played his 111th consecutive game without an error on Sunday, surpassing the previous record held by Mike Bordick. Defensive analytics from Outs Above Average show Wilson improving from a below-average rating last season to an elite rating this year, aided by better range and footwork.

"He may not have the elite range Statcast likes, but he is in the right place at the right time, makes every play and has a cannon for an arm. He is fundamentally as sound as it gets," said Athletics manager Mark Kotsay.