Atlanta Braves Manager Makes Chris Sale Admission After Athletics Game
The Braves' ace put forth a heroic effort on Wednesday.
Atlanta Braves star pitcher Chris Sale is one of the best in baseball, and he showed why on Wednesday. The 37-year-old allowed just one run on one hit over six innings in a 5-1 win over the Athletics despite dealing with an illness. Braves manager Walt Weiss revealed that the team didn't expect Sale to pitch deep into the game, via ESPN.
"He was sick as a dog," he said. "We didn't even know if he was going to be able to make that start. I was hoping to get three innings out of him.
In the best-case scenario, maybe four. " Sale not only lasted longer than that, but he also dominated. The nine-time All-Star retired the first 11 hitters he faced before Shea Langeliers hit a solo homer to left in the top of the fourth inning.
He then retired the next seven batters to finish his outing. Sale didn't have his typical control and velocity during pregame warmups, but he succeeded by pitching to contact during the game. Other than the homer, the 2024 NL Cy Young Award-winner only allowed one line drive.