Chris Sale Unable to Escape Pinch-Hit Home Run
Sale pitched another strong start against the Tigers on Aug. 3 at Comerica Park. The Sox and Tigers were tied 1-1 in the bottom of the eighth inning with Sale on the mound. Detroit would counter by pinch-hitting a returning J.D. Martinez. The All-Star slugger was returning from injury and received a standing ovation from Tigers fans when he walked up to the plate.
Martinez would then hit Sale’s first pitch to him for a go-ahead home run. The home run would be all the Tigers needed as they would defeat the Sox 2-1. With the loss, the Sox record dropped to 51-56 at that point. Sale’s bid to reach 15 wins on the season would suffer and he was also burned by Martinez for the second time this season with a home run.