Chris Sale becomes 1st pitcher since 2001 to record double-digit strikeouts in 7 straight starts

Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale joined some elite company Wednesday afternoon, accomplishing a feat that only one other pitcher – another highly imposing left-hander, incidentally – has done in the last 15 years.

In the seventh inning of Wednesday's series finale against the Minnesota Twins, Sale fanned rookie Byron Buxton for his 10th strikeout of the game to become the first pitcher with double-digit strikeouts in seven straight outings since Randy Johnson in 2001.

Sale's performance Wednesday at Target Field, however, was easily the worst of his miraculous stretch. Plagued by inconsistent command and his teammates' porous defense, Sale allowed six runs – his most since April 30 –before being lifted with two outs in the seventh after unloading 113 pitches.

"[Being in Johnson’s company] is a lot cooler to other people than it is to me but I appreciate it. It's cool to toss around but it would be a lot better if we were winning games," Sale told reporters following the 6-1 loss.

Sale also failed to record at least a dozen strikeouts for the first time since May 23, falling shy of setting the modern era record of six straight starts with 12 or more strikeouts.