Chris Sale gains win No. 9 as White Sox top Royals
Jul 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale throws a pitch against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago White Sox celebrated “Christmas in July,” with Chris Sale gift-wrapping his ninth win of the season for the fans of the “Good Guys” with the White Sox defeating the Kansas City Royals, 3-1.
Jul 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox center fielder Adam Eaton hits a single against the Kansas City Royals in the second inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago’s win at US Cellular Field moves them to 48-52 on the year, and Sale improves his overall record to 9-1 with a 2.03 ERA.
In the win, Sale pitched seven solid innings, allowing one run on seven hits and one walk. Sale struck out eight batters.
Though Sale did allow seven hits, he was still very productive on the mound. It was good to see Sale pitch for the first time since July 9 in a regular-season game and one inning in the All-Star game.
Sale’s second half of the season could become very special if he continues to hold teams to one earned run, which he has in his past three starts.
The White Sox led 2-0 after the first inning with Adam Dunn hitting a single to centerfield to score both Adam Eaton and Alexei Ramirez. Eaton led off the inning with a base hit to left field, and Ramirez was hit by a pitch.
Gordon Beckham batted in the third and final White Sox run in the bottom of the sixth with a sacrifice fly to centerfield to score Adam Dunn, who initially reached the bases with a lead-off walk.
Chicago finished with six hits, with Eaton going 2-for-3 and one walk.
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The lone Royals (48-50) run scored in the top of the fourth with Danny Valencia singling in Alex Gordon.
The White Sox had to be pleased with the bullpen’s two innings of relief. Ronald Belisario pitched a perfect eighth inning again, excelling in the set-up man role. The save went to Jake Petricka, who allowed one hit and struck out a batter in a scoreless ninth.
Jeremy Guthrie was charged with the loss for the Royals. He pitched six innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits and three walks. Guthrie falls to 5-9 on the season, though he did have five strikeouts in the loss to the White Sox.
On Tuesday, Scott Carroll will be taking the mound for the White Sox (4-5, 4.19 ERA), and he’ll oppose Bruce Chen of the Royals (1-2, 6.46 ERA).