Chris Sale took the hill yesterday and once again in the midst of a great outing left it far too soon. Loyal shoppers of Red Sox nation were ecstatic over another Psyco Sale day in Boston. In ten starts this year Sale had put together a (5-2) record with a 4.72 ERA. That number is quite deceiving as Sale had started the season looking as rusty as a hinge on an old barn door. After two starts he had an ERA of 11.25. Then it started to drop. First to 8.22 then three more starts and it was at 4.40 so on and so on.
Then May hit and Sale seemed to hit his stride. Psycho Sale was back chants were heard across Red sox Nation. In four May starts Sale had put together a (3-1) record with an ERA of 2.42. He struck out 30 batters and walked just 4 over the 31 days of May. The Sox may have been in last place but there was hope with Sale pitching like an Ace again. Then last night the other shoe dropped. Sale left the game in the fourth inning with “ Left shoulder tightness “ he had given up one run on five hits. Six of the eleven outs he recorded came by way of the K and he walked just one. After the game Sox skipper Alex Cora spoke to the media. And talked about his responsibility to Chris Sales' health.
We have all been down this road too often with Sale. His time missed since his contract extension has been discussed ad nauseam. From T.J surgery to bullpen session fractured ribs to phantom bike accidents. We have all lived the rollercoaster ride that has been Chris Sale’s career here in Boston. From World Series peaks to pummeled flat screens we were here for it all. Including last night's trips to the mound in the 4th inning. Now we all wait with baited breath on another Chris Sale MRI , and the inventible trip to the DL.
Oh I almost forgot . The Sox rode a 6 run eighth inning to an 8-2 win last night stopping a three game skid. Raffy Devers doubled in the recently walked Alex Verdugo on a ball he almost put out in straight away center. Raimel Tapia crossed the plate later on a bases loaded balk, Kike Hernandez drove in two more on a single to right. And Connor Wong ended the scoring with a 400 foot bomb that plated Hernndez and of course himself. Glad I got that in here. Hope it makes you all feel a bit better before Tampa Bay hits town tonight for a three game set.
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