It's been a frustrating, inconsistent season for Chris Sale. But the Red Sox ace still found a way to make history on Thursday.
Sale eclipsed the 200-strikeout mark on the year, making it the seventh straight season he's accumulated 200 or more Ks. He's the fifth player in the history of Major League Baseball to accomplish that feat. Walter Johnson (1910-16), Tom Seaver (1968-76), Roger Clemens (1986-92) and Max Scherzer (2012-18) are the only others to do so.
The 10-year veteran also tied Mickey Lolich and Clayton Kershaw for the third most 200+ K seasons ever by a left-handed pitcher, trailing only Randy Johnson (13) and Steve Carlton (8).
These stats show just how dominant Sale's been throughout his career, but outside of his strikeout numbers, Sale's 2019 has been a major disappointment. The 30-year-old entered Thursday night's game with a 5-11 record and career-high 4.68 ERA.
Sale signed a five-year, $145 million contract extension with Boston before the season.
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