Chris Sale shuts out the Yankees, continuing the resurgent season

Chris Sale is no longer a division rival of the Yankees, but the former Red Sox standout is clearly healthy again and is having an incredible comeback season after switching leagues and joining the Braves.

Sale, who has not made the All-Star team since his seventh consecutive selection in 2018 due to various injuries, continued his return to that level with five one-run innings Friday night in the Braves’ 8-1 win over Carlos Rodon and the Yankees at the Stadium.

The 35-year-old left-hander, who allowed one questionable hit and had eight strikeouts, has posted a 10-2 record and a 2.91 ERA in his first 14 starts for the Braves after an offseason transfer from Boston.

“I did it. It worked tonight,” said Sale, who improved his record to 7-9 in 23 career appearances against the Yankees. “I’ve met these guys quite a few times and seen what they can do. I have too much respect for the game and too much respect for these guys to say anything other than we battled and it worked out in my favor tonight.”

“I’ve been on the other side before, but tonight the offense caught me. I had a lead before I even threw a pitch. I don’t think there’s a starting pitcher in the league who would say he doesn’t like that.”

After undergoing Tommy John surgery, Sale missed the entire COVID-shortened 2020 season and made only 11 starts over the next two years due to back problems, a broken finger and a broken wrist.

However, he posted a 4.30 ERA in 20 appearances last season, prompting general manager Alex Anthopoulos to send the Braves’ most promising hitter, Vaughn Grissom, to Boston in December. The Red Sox will take on $17 million of his 2024 salary.

A few weeks later, Atlanta signed Sale to a two-year contract extension worth $37 million.

Sale has allowed two or more earned runs in just three of his first 14 starts for the Braves, including eight in four innings on June 1 against the A’s.

This season, he also had 107 strikeouts and 16 walks in 86 ²/₃ innings.

“Just as we didn’t worry when things weren’t going well, we’re not going to sit here and throw a party when things are going well,” Sale said.

The Yankees’ only hit against Sale was a triple by Jahmai Jones in the second inning; the ball only went in after left fielder Adam Duvall misjudged it.

“Have you ever looked at his career? … He’s an incredible pitcher,” Juan Soto said of Sale.

Before the game, Aaron Boone used the phrase “vintage sale” to describe his season. And he was right.

“That looked like Sale at his best,” Boone added afterward. “He’s having a great year there. We saw the great Chris Sale a lot early in his time with the Red Sox and the Chris Sale who had a lot of injuries and battled through them.”

“He looked really good. The secondary was excellent. … He was tough.”