Boston Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale didn't mince words when evaluating his performance during Saturday's start against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park.
"Sometimes, you just suck," Sale said, according to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe.
Sale was tagged for seven runs on seven hits over just three innings and allowed three home runs.
It was the veteran's first regular-season start since last July. Sale appeared in just two games last season due to rib and finger injuries.
The 34-year-old acknowledged that he has "a lot of work to do" as he looks to round into form.
"I left them completely out to dry tonight," Sale said. "About as embarrassed as I've ever been. … I was out there throwing batting practice."
The Red Sox managed to rally for a victory in stunning fashion in the ninth inning after being gifted an extra out when Orioles outfielder Ryan McKenna dropped the final out of the game in left field. Red Sox outfielder Adam Duvall took full advantage, belting a walk-off two-run HR to seal the win for Boston.
Sale said he's aware that Duvall's heroics will help shield him from some of the criticism for his rough outing.
"Fortunately and unfortunately, the story isn't about me today," Sale said, according to The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey.
Sale will look to bounce back in his next outing against the Detroit Tigers.
