Rare rough outing for Sale as Sox stumble
Over the first third of the season, Chris Sale learned a lot about what it takes to be a major-league starting pitcher.
He survived a scare with elbow pain in April.
While going 4-1 with a 1.71 ERA and winning American League pitcher of the month honors in May, Sale transformed from a hard thrower to a crafty pitcher.
As the schedule moved into June, Sale focused on cutting down on his pitch count and becoming more efficient.
Through it all, the White Sox’ 23-year-old starter has achieved stunning success, and Sale entered Friday night’s interleague game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles ranked among league leaders in 11 categories, including wins (8), ERA (2.05) and WHIP (0.92).
The Sox fell 7-6.
All along, the key for Sale has been keeping things as simple as possible.
“I’m not one to really look at my stats or anything like that,” Sale said after beating the Astros at U.S. Cellular Field last Saturday. “You still have to go out there and pitch and get outs.”
Against Los Angeles Friday, Sale learned another important lesson — how to succeed without having your best stuff.
“Mr. Bones,” as legendary Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully was calling him, labored through the first inning, allowing 1 run on a hit and 2 walks while throwing 25 pitches.
Not only did the Dodgers quickly end Sale’s streak of 15 scoreless innings, they threatened to knock him out of the game early.
By Sale’s standards, it was a rocky start. While he lasted only 5 innings, his shortest outing since May 14, Sale and the Sox seemingly held a comfortable 5-1 lead in the sixth.
But Los Angeles erupted for 5 runs against Sale and reliever Jesse Crain.
With the Dodgers leading 6-5 in the eighth inning, Alex Rios continued his turnaround season with a solo home run — his second of the game.
But reliever Matt Thornton couldn’t protect the tie in the bottom of the eighth. Thornton gave up a one-out single to James Loney and walked Dee Gordon.
After Elian Herrera grounder into a fielder’s choice, moving Loney to third base, Thornton threw a wild pitch with Bobby Abreu at the plate and Loney easily scored the deciding run.
Adam Dunn got the White Sox off to a quick start in the first inning, hitting a 2-run homer.
Dunn has cleared the fences in each of the last five games he’s started, and he leads the major leagues with 23 home runs this season.
sgregor@dailyherald.com