Toronto right-hander Marcus Stroman knew he had to pitch well with Chris Sale on the mound for the Chicago White Sox.
He was not nearly good enough.
Stroman on Sunday allowed four runs in five innings as the Blue Jays lost 5-2 to Sale and the White Sox.
Photo: AP
“Sale is pretty much dominant every time out,” Stroman said. “Obviously, you know who you’re going against and you know it’s going to be a tough task for the offense... You have to be at your best to take your team deep into games, so I didn’t do that today. It’s frustrating.”
Sale (13-2) pitched eight innings of two-run ball to become the majors’ first 13-game winner. The ace left-hander allowed five hits, struck out seven and walked two in his fourth straight victory.
“I felt good,” Sale said. “It was nice to get some quick outs and just try to roll with it. When you get into a groove, you just try to ride it out as best you can.”
Photo: AP
Tim Anderson and J.B. Shuck homered to help Chicago take two of three from slumping Toronto, who have dropped five of seven. The White Sox returned to .500 (38-38) with their fifth win in seven games.
Sale was working on a shutout before Troy Tulowitzki homered down the left-field line with one out in the eighth. After Kevin Pillar struck out, Junior Lake made it 4-2 with a drive to left-center.
Sale threw 67 of his 99 pitches for strikes. The Blue Jays were aggressive early in the count.
“You have no choice, because he throws strikes,” Tulowitzki said. “If you don’t offer early, you’re going to be behind in the count. Everybody knows how good his putaway pitches are. He was tough.”
Stroman (6-4) walked four and struck out four.
“[Stroman] drew a tough assignment today. He almost had to be perfect,” manager John Gibbons said. “Sale is definitely one of the best, no doubt about that.”
Melky Cabrera and Adam Eaton each drove in a run for Chicago, who bounced back nicely after they hit seven solo homers in a frustrating 10-8 loss on Saturday.
David Robertson pitched a perfect ninth for his 20th save in 22 chances.
After the game, the Blue Jays recalled right-hander Ryan Tepera from Triple-A Buffalo and optioned left-hander Chad Girodo to their top farm club.
One day after Blue Jays reliever Jason Grilli barely reacted in time to stab a line drive that was headed for his face, he called for increased safety measures for fans.
“I don’t see how the nets can’t be extended down the foul lines in every park,” Grilli said. “That’s where the most balls come into the stands at 110mph while a lot of fans are on their cell phones.”
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