White Sox ace Sale makes Cubs 'look silly'
Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale has had so many incredible starting efforts the past four years they tend to get lumped together.
Sunday's outing against the Chicago Cubs is going to be hard to forget.
“He made us look silly, but that's what he does,” said Cubs cleanup hitter Anthony Rizzo.
You had a feeling it was going to be a memorable start when Sale struck out the side in the first inning on 14 pitches.
Turns out it was.
“Right from the start of the game, you're feeling pretty good about it,” manager Robin Ventura said after the Sox beat the Cubs 3-1. “He was darn near unhittable for the time he was in there.”
Darn right he was.
While matching his career high with 15 strikeouts over 7 shutout innings, Sale held the Cubs to 1 hit. The left-hander was working on a no-hitter until Dexter Fowler singled with one out in the sixth inning.
“I think Fowler was looking for a heater, we missed a spot, he got the basehit there,” said White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers.
Sale proceeded to walk Chris Denorfia, struck out Kris Bryant for the third time in as many at-bats, and then hit Rizzo to load the bases.
That brought Jorge Soler to the plate with the White Sox leading 3-0.
“You definitely don't want it to get out of hand, especially with a hitter like (Soler),” Sale said. “He can put the ball over the fence at any given time. You just want to bear down right there.
“I think Flow did an unbelievable job of mixing it up and keeping the rhythm good. That's why I trust him so much. He knows how to get me through games and situations like that.”
Mixing his fastball with a changeup and slider like he did all afternoon, Sale got Soler on a called third strike to get out of the jam.
Thanks to solo home runs from Jose Abreu, Alexei Ramirez and Melky Cabrera, the White Sox gave Sale and relievers Nate Jones and David Robertson more than enough offense to help snap the Cubs' nine-game winning streak n front of a capacity crowd at the Cell.
“I think they're always fun,” Sale said after the Sox and Cubs finished the Crosstown Cup series at 3-3. “I always enjoy playing the Cubs. The atmosphere alone, this was probably the best atmosphere I've ever pitched in, honestly.
“It's always fun. Crosstown rival, you're in the same city, different leagues and stuff, but I think it's still fun no matter when it is, where it is or how the teams are doing. It's always enjoyable for me anyway.”
After Sale struck out 15, Jones fanned the side in the eighth inning. The 18 strikeouts were the most in a 9-inning major-league game since the Los Angeles Angels struck out 20 on Sept. 25, 2012, against the Seattle Mariners.
Sale said he was aware he needed 16 strikeouts to surpass his career high.
“I wouldn't say I knew the exact number when they were,” Sale said. “But I knew they were getting up there. It's fun. The crowd gets into it. People in the K Zone are going crazy for me. It's a fun, fun time.”
Was it Sale's best start of the season?
“Yeah, I would say so,” he said. “Eh, I don't know. For me, just go into it as another game and try to give your team a chance to win. It's a hot day and try to make it quick. You don't want to leave the guys out there too long. Work quick and try to get outs.”
Sale got a lot of outs. And once again he flirted with a no-hitter.
“There are a lot of pitchers out there with no-hitters and a lot better than I am, too, so no,” Sale said when asked if he expects to eventually get a no-hitter. “When you're out there, you take it for what it is. I know. I believe everyone knows when it's up there.
“You can't help but think about it. But with how hard this game is, I'm going to try, but I'm not going to guarantee anything right now.”
Scouting report
White Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium
TV: WGN today and Thursday; Comcast SportsNet Tuesday and Wednesday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The Sox' Carlos Rodon (5-4) vs. Andrew Heaney (5-1) today; John Danks (6-9) vs. Garrett Richards (11-9) Tuesday; Jeff Samardzija (8-8) vs. Jered Weaver (4-9) Wednesday; Jose Quintana (6-10) vs. Matt Shoemaker (5-8) Thursday. All games 9:05 p.m.
At a glance: The White Sox swept Los Angeles in a three-game home series last week. The Sox have lost five straight at Angel Stadium. Rodon is coming off his best major-league start. Against L.A. last Tuesday at U.S. Cellular Field, the rookie left-hander pitched 7 scoreless innings and struck out 11, both career highs. The Angels are in the thick of the wild-card race, but they had lost 16 of 22 heading into Sunday night's game at Kansas City. Jose Abreu is batting .329 with 14 extra-base hits over his last 22 games.
Next: Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field, Friday-Sunday
— Scot Gregor