Chris Sale has All-Star performance; bullpen falters for loss

Jul 9, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) comes out of the game against the Boston Red Sox during the seventh inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Maybe Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell snubbed Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale one too many times this week for a spot on the AL All-Star roster, but the Red Sox still got the win.

Sale put on another top-notch, dominating performance on the mound Wednesday night against the AL East last place Boston Red Sox (40-51) … too bad the bullpen of the White Sox (44-48) couldn’t get four more outs with the lead, ending the White Sox winning streak at three with a 5-4 loss Wednesday.

Jul 9, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; The Boston Red Sox celebrate a come-from-behind victory against the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Sale was great once again, no matter if the bullpen combo of Jake Petricka and Javy Guerra couldn’t finish the job.

The White Sox left-handed ace, Sale, allowed one earned run on four hits and no walks with six strikeouts. His ERA dropped to 2.08 in his 14th start of the season.

Sale, who does lead the AL Final Vote contest, pitched 7.2 innings, leaving the game with a runner on third base with two outs.

The runner left on third by Sale crossed home plate with the first batter Petricka faced. That was followed by Petricka allowing a double that allowed Boston to score their second run.

Petricka didn’t record an out as he allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and one walk.

Guerra stopped the bleeding by recording the final out of the eighth, but allowed the game-winning runs in the ninth, with two crossing home plate for the loss.

I guess it is safe to say this bullpen brought us all back to reality a little bit, because the White Sox won’t compete for a wildcard spot, much less the division, with the inconsistent bullpen the White Sox bring to the ballpark.

It is just tough the pitching of this team ruins good offensive nights for the White Sox throughout various points of the year, especially the bullpen.

Boston’s bullpen allowed one earned run in four innings of relief.

Jose Abreu hit his 28th home run of the season in the first inning, giving him 70 RBIs thus far his rookie campaign. He finished 2-for-4.

Conor Gillaspie also hit a home run, his third of the season, in the second inning. Gillaspie also had a double.

Alejandro De Aza was 3-for-4 with a single, double and triple, with the White Sox finishing with 10 total hits.

Chris Sale has All-Star caliber performance; bullpen falters for loss

By Stephen Forsha | Jul 9, 2014