Chicago White Sox Morning BP: Chris Sale 'not usual self'

Aug 18, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher

Chris Sale

(49) pitches against the Baltimore Orioles at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

The loss on Monday night for the Chicago White Sox by an 8-2 score to the Baltimore Orioles wasn’t that great of a game for starting pitcher Chris Sale or the bullpen of the White Sox.

Yes, Sale did strikeout eight Orioles batters, but he also allowed three runs on eight hits and two walks. He gave up two home runs in his six innings pitched, and in the world of Sale that’s not up to the standards he’s set for himself this season.

The loss dropped Sale to 10-3 on the season, with his ERA moving to 2.12 on the season.

In the Whitesox.com recap it said of Sale:

"“Manager Robin Ventura didn’t feel Sale was at his usual Cy Young-caliber efficiency. But there’s a reason why the Orioles are the lone American League team that Sale hasn’t defeated in his career.”"

Chicago’s bullpen came in the game and were their usual self … unreliable. The White Sox were still in the game (down one run), but once the bullpen took part in the activities on Monday, the White Sox had no chance to tie the score.

The bullpen pitched a total of three innings with Eric Surkamp and Matt Lindstrom unable to record a single out, while allowing a total of four earned runs on three hits and one walk combined.

Ronald Belisario was the pitcher to relieve Sale, and in his 1.2 innings he allowed one earned run on one hit and no walks. Maikel Cleto pitched the final 1.1 innings and actually did well with no run or hits allowed, while striking out two.

All-in-all it was just another lackluster night to a lackluster season for the White Sox.