Levine: Chris Sale Makes Successful 2015 Debut
By Bruce Levine--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The long wait for Chris Sale ended Sunday, as the White Sox ace pitched in the rotation for the first time in 2015 in Chicago's 6-2 win against Minnesota at U.S. Cellular Field.
Sale injured his right foot in a late February home accident in Glendale, Ariz. He was shut down for three weeks until beginning throwing drills again on March 21. He pitched well enough and long enough Sunday to get his first win of the season.
"I was able to maintain my arm and throwing when I was rehabbing my foot," Sale said. "I feel I have all that behind me now."
Sale was reinstated to the club's 25-man roster Sunday prior to his first start. When healthy, there have been few pitchers to compare to Sale, with his overall stuff and competitive spirit. He struck out 10 or more hitters in eight games last season. Sale also owns the franchise record of 18 games with 10 or more strikeouts after only 85 big league starts.
Chicago manager Robin Ventura said before the game that Sale would be on a six inning/90-pitch count limit. The shortened pitch count was in place to protect Sale in his first time on the mound this season.
The White Sox offense gave Sale an early cushion, scoring twice in the first inning. Adam LaRoche singled in a run, and Alexei Ramirez doubled in another.
"When the guys go out there and give you two runs early, that takes the edge off a little bit," Sale said. "You at that point can kind of exhale. The pressure is off a little bit. Having Flo (catcher Tyler Flowers) come out and settle me down helped trying to be regular again."
Sale took care of business on his end. He pitched six innings, allowing just a single earned run in the third inning, an RBI single by Danny Santana. His pitch command was excellent, considering the time off. Sale struck out eight while giving up one walk and five hits. He threw 98 pitches.
"If Chris was near 90 pitches at the end of six innings, he probably could have gone back out there,"Ventura said after Sale's 45th career win. "Where he was at and with his rehab, this was enough. It was pretty good."
Sale said he had no worries about the foot and that he felt great after coming out of the game.
"The (foot injury) was like it never happened," an elated Sale said.
More than anything else, the addition of Sale and the grinding victory by the White Sox on Saturday helps make up for the slow start to the season earlier in the week. Chicago has won two in a row after dropping its first four games.
"No matter what you throw at us, we are going to find a way," Sale said. "We have grinders and fighters. We are playing for each other. That is what you are going to get from here on out."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
