Chris Sale Dazzles In Historic Start At Chilly Fenway Park

BOSTON, MA — Chris Sale came within one strikeout of tying an American League record by striking out the first six batters he faced en route to a career-high 17-strikeout game Tuesday night. Sale became the fourth Red Sox pitcher in history to strike out at least 17, joining Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez, who each did it twice, and Bill Monbouquette.

The lefthander was impeccable against the Colorado Rockies, a National League team with a potent lineup that was making a rare visit to Fenway Park. He left with a 3-2 lead after seven innings and 108 pitches. He could have potentially had six more outs to reach the magical 20-strikeout mark, but the Red Sox replaced him with Brandon Workman to straight the eighth inning.

Sale started white-hot in a game that was only 44 degrees when he tossed his first pitch - a ball to Charlie Blackmon. He fanned Blackmon, then proceeded to sit down Trevor Story, Nolan Arenado, Mark Reynolds, Raimel Tapia and Ian Desmond on strikes.

The season has been a struggle for Sale, but like many of the Red Sox, he's turning it around after an uncharacteristically sluggish start. According to the Red Sox, he is the first pitcher in MLB history to strike out at least 14 batters, walk none and allow three or fewer hits in consecutive starts.