Watch CBS News

Blue Jays Steal Home, Hit Chris Sale Hard In Red Sox Home Opener

BOSTON (CBS) -- The Red Sox held a grand party at Fenway Park on Tuesday afternoon. Unfortunately, they had to play baseball after, and it did not go well for Boston ace Chris Sale.

While his velocity was back in the early innings, hitting 94 MPH on the radar gun, Sale was once again ineffective on the mound for Boston. He failed to make it to the fifth inning for the second time in his three starts this season.

After jumping out to an early 2-0 lead against the Blue Jays, things fell apart for the Red Sox in the top of the fourth inning. With the score tied 2-2, Toronto touched Sale for three additional runs in the frame, including one that brought the boo birds out at Fenway.

After the Jays had taken a 4-2 lead on an RBI single by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and a passed ball that plated Randal Grichuk, Gurriel was eager to make his way home. He took full advantage of Sale falling apart on the mound, easily stealing home as the lefty delivered a pitch to No. 9 hitter Billy McKinney. Sale's pitch went wide, and Gurriel slid home to give Toronto a 5-2 lead.

The Fenway Faithful were none too pleased with Boston's play at that point, and let the defending World Series champs hear it with a smattering of boos.

Sale got out of the inning without any further damage, but his day was done after that nightmare frame. He gave up five runs off seven hits over his four innings, and his ERA on the season is now at 9.00.

He was at a loss after falling to 0-3 on the season, saying he's never felt this way on the mound before.

"If I knew what it was I'd fix it," Sale said following Boston's 7-5 defeat. "That's kind of where I'm at, spinning my tires. I'm looking at this, looking at that, see if I'm tipping pitches, see if it's my mechanics, if it's this, if it's angles. You know, I'm still searching, but I'll find it. I know who I am. I know what I can do. I've been there before and I'll keep grinding."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.