Back-in-business Sale
Ace dominates in return to finish sweep of pitiful O’s
BALTIMORE — There are at least four no-doubt truths about the 2018 Red Sox.
One, they keep winning and winning and winning.
Two, Mookie Betts does everything better than everyone else.
Three, J.D. Martinez hits more dingers than anyone else.
And yesterday Chris Sale reminded us all of No. 4: When he’s healthy and fresh, there’s nobody better.
After a 15-day layoff because of “mild left shoulder irritation,” Sale returned to action in electrifying, high-voltage form.
He struck out 12 of the 16 Orioles he faced, and allowed just one hit in his five innings and 68 pitches to lead the Red Sox to a 4-1 victory and four-game sweep over the woebegone Orioles.
Sale was on a restricted pitch count after his midseason minibreak which can only help the Sox’ long-term plan to keep the lefty fresh all the way through October.
Last season after his 23rd start, Sale had thrown 1611⁄3 innings and 2,517 pitches.
After start No. 23 this year? He’s thrown 151⁄3 fewer innings and 225 fewer pitches.
That’s about two games worth of bullets right there.
Come October, those just might come in handy.
“That’s kind of been the only thing I’ve been holding onto — going on the DL is not fun, you don’t want to be on the sidelines,” said Sale. “I enjoyed (this start). I don’t like sitting on the sidelines, so I had fun (yesterday). (Yesterday) was a good day — and hopefully keep building on that.”
Manager Alex Cora could breathe a sigh of relief that his ace was back and looking fine. But in a tight ballgame — the Red Sox were up 2-0 when he lifted Sale — he knew what to do.
“Seemed like he didn’t miss a beat being on the DL — his velocity was up, good slider, good changeup,” said Cora. “We’ve got to be disciplined on this. The way he was throwing the ball, it was very tempting to us to say ‘one more inning’ but we’ve been disciplined the whole season and we’ll stick with the plan and he was outstanding.”
With two days off this coming week, Sale will not have to pitch again until Sunday.
“With the off days that are coming, he’s going to benefit from that and we’re just happy that he’s back,” said Cora.
While Sale and a handful of relievers contained the 35-84 Orioles, the Red Sox chipped away at Baltimore starter Alex Cobb, the closest thing to a bona fide starter the O’s threw at them over the weekend.
Steve Pearce lined a solo home run off Cobb in the first inning.
In the fourth inning, Brock Holt (single) scored on J.D. Martinez’ double, thanks to right fielder Adam Jones briefly bobbling the ball in the right-field corner long enough for Holt to resume his path around the bases and score on a close play at the plate.
In the sixth inning, diamond-inthe-rough find Ryan Brasier came in to face Trey Mancini with the bases loaded. He struck Mancini out with a nasty slider, the eighth pitch of the at-bat.
After Matt Barnes allowed a run on a sacrifice fly in the eighth to narrow the lead to 2-1, the Sox offense provided breathing room for closer Craig Kimbrel. First Jackie Bradley Jr. sliced an RBI single to score Eduardo Nunez (single, stolen base), and then Betts doubled in Bradley for the three-run cushion.
None of the four Sox starters lasted longer than six innings here, so for the bullpen to consistently hold the fort was a big deal over the three hectic days.
“They were amazing, regardless of what people think, or how many runs they scored,” said Cora. “We went through two tough starts and a doubleheader, and for us to get 27 outs on a nightly basis that was impressive, got to give them credit.”