Sale looks like early Cy Young candidate

The Tampa Bay Rays had no answer for Chris Sale who was simply too good for words Friday night.

If it weren't for a few in-game delays, the Chicago White Sox would've set the home team aside in less than two hours. Sale went the distance in throwing a two-hitter, as he continued to make his case as the early front-runner for top arm in the American League, and maybe even the majors.

(Video courtesy: MLB.com)

Here's a list of feats Sale accomplished in the 1-0 win in Tampa:

• Sale threw 106 pitches, seven shy of a "Maddux." It's aptly named after Hall of Famer Greg Maddux, for any pitcher who throws a complete game in 99 pitches or less.
• This is the fourth time Sale has thrown a complete game without surrendering a walk, but the first time he's done so while shutting out the opposing team.
• This marks Sale's second career shutout, and first since 2013.
• Sale became the first White Sox pitcher to throw a complete game with nine or more strikeouts and no walks since Philip Humber's perfect game in 2012.
• This was Sale's first career 1-0 complete-game shutout win.
• Sale became the first pitcher in the majors to move to 3-0.

Although it's a small sample size, Sale has thrown at least seven innings in each of his three starts, giving up only 15 hits and six runs in the process.

He's also struck out 23 batters while maintaining a sparkling 2.35 ERA.