Chris Sale struck out 12 in seven innings, while allowing only four hits and one run to lead the Boston Red Sox to a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday afternoon at Fenway Park.
It is Sale’s first win in a Red Sox uniform. Sale (1-1) has pitched three strong games to start his Red Sox career. He has allowed only three earned runs in 21.2 innings for a 1.25 ERA. Sale has at least 10 strikeouts in each of his last two starts.
Mitch Moreland continues to be red hot with the bat. He hit his first home run of the season, and his league leading ninth double. Moreland was a triple shy of the cycle.
Sandy Leon drove home the game winning run in the seventh inning. Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless eighth inning, while Craig Kimbrel pitched a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts to close out the victory.