Chris Sale becomes 1st pitcher since 2001 to record at least 12 strikeouts in 3 straight starts
Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale is on a run that hasn't been seen in 15 years.
The lanky left-hander struck out Houston Astros designated hitter Evan Gattis with a 86-mph changeup in the sixth inning to record his 10th strikeout of the game - a franchise record fourth consecutive outing in which he's registered double-digit strikeouts.
Sale would strike out Marwin Gonzalez an inning later to become the first pitcher with three-straight 12-plus strikeout games since Pedro Martinez and Randy Johnson in 2001, according to Elias Sports.
"I don't pay attention to any of that," Sale said after lifting the White Sox to a 3-1 win. "I just try to come in and do my job. If it's good, it's good. If it's bad, it's bad. Just go out there with everything I've got."
| Date | Opp | IP | H | R (ER) | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 23 | MIN | 8 | 5 | 4 (3) | 10 |
| May 28 | BAL | 7.2 | 4 | 0 (0) | 12 |
| June 3 | TEX | 7 | 3 | 0 (0) | 13 |
| June 8 | HOU | 8 | 5 | 1 (1) | 14 |
Despite a 40-minute delay in the third inning due to rain, Sale remained in the game and overpowered a strikeout-prone Astros lineup. The 26-year-old handed the ball to the bullpen with a 3-1 lead to start the ninth after allowing one run off four hits and 14 strikeouts in eight innings.
"He was fantastic," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "He's really been on a roll and some of the numbers he's starting to rack up are impressive, especially how long this organization has been here."
Astros rookie Carlos Correa snapped Sale's consecutive shutout innings streak at 22 2/3 in the fourth inning after beating out an infield single, though Sale would not allow another run in the outing.
Over his last six starts, Sale is 4-1 with a 1.36 ERA, 67 strikeouts, and five walks.