Braves left-hander Chris Sale strikes out 9 in 6 innings and earns 11th win in 3-1 victory over Giants

ATLANTA – Chris Sale allowed just three hits in six innings to earn his 11th win and lead the Atlanta Braves to a 3-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night.

Sale (11-3) is tied with Kansas City’s Seth Lugo for most wins in the major leagues, confirming a return to the form he set early in his career when he won 11 or more games in seven consecutive seasons with the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox.

“Are these more wins than I have had in the last five years combined?” Sale asked with a smile.

These are Sales’ most wins since the 12-4 final score with Boston in 2018. The left-hander recorded nine strikeouts, allowed one run and thus positioned himself for the All-Star selection.

“We’ll get through this when the time comes,” Sale said when asked about the possibility of being named the NL starter. “… I’d welcome it, but we still have games to play. I don’t want to be distracted.”

The Giants were only able to record four hits thanks to Sale and three relievers.

Austin Riley scored a Double with two runs in the fifth.

Sale needed just six pitches to strike out the Giants in order in the first inning, laying the foundation for his strong start. The left-hander struck out the team in the third inning. Sale added two more strikeouts to start the fifth inning before Curt Casali hit a single to center field that brought in San Francisco’s first hit.

The Braves took a 1-0 lead with three consecutive hits, including Adam Duvall’s Double score against Jordan Hicks (4-5) to start the second round. Duvall had three hits.

Hicks allowed three runs in five innings.

“It’s not that he pitched badly,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said of Hicks. “It was that he couldn’t get Sale out and then three pretty good relievers.”

Riley’s two-run double off the right outfield wall in the fifth inning increased the lead to 3-0.

Home plate umpire Ryan Additon called Riley safe on his slide at the plate while attempting to score from second base on Travis d’Arnaud’s single to right field. The Giants contested the call, and replay showed Casali touched Riley after catching the throw from right fielder Austin Slater.

Matt Chapman’s double brought Jorge Soler home in the sixth inning and provided the Giants’ only run.

Chapman reached with one out on an infield single in the ninth inning before Raisel Iglesias completed his 21st save in 23 chances.

Left fielder for the Giants Luis Matos made a pike catch off Riley’s sinking liner at the end of the third period.

TRAINING ROOM

Giants: Melvin says there is “a chance” LHP Kyle Harrison (right ankle sprain) could come off the injured list to start Saturday at Cleveland.

Braves: SS Orlando Arcia missed his second straight game after having an infected tooth pulled. Manager Brian Snitker said Arcia has an infection and is being given protein drinks “just to get something in him.” … OF Ramón Laureano (back soreness) says he’s feeling better, but Snitker said “it’s not good enough to play. … He can’t walk. Can’t swing yet.” … OF Michael Harris II (left hamstring strain) walked for the first time since going on the injured list on June 16. … Snitker managed to laugh after being hit below his belt by a line-drive foul ball from Ozzie Albies in the fifth inning.

NEXT

Giants RHP Logan Webb (6-6, 3.12 ERA) will look to extend his record as a strong pitcher at Truist Park when he faces Braves RHP Charlie Morton (5-4, 3.89) in the final game of the series on Thursday night. Webb is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in four career starts in Atlanta.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb