White Sox ace Chris Sale apparently didn't like having his 10-strikeout streak ended Monday. So he started a new one Saturday.
Sale fanned 10 in seven innings to frustrate the crosstown Cubs. He allowed one run on six hits and one walk in snagging a second straight win, raising his record to 8-4 and shrinking his ERA to 2.72, its lowest point since April 23.
The left-hander didn't get the Cubs out in order until the fifth, but did retire nine straight at one point. An RBI double by pinch-hitter Jonathan Herrera ruined his shutout.
Despite it all, White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper was unimpressed. He's gotten spoiled.
"Obviously he pitched a good game, but I've seen him better," Cooper told MLB.com. "I'll take this every time, but I've seen him better."
Sale has given up just four runs in his last 24 innings pitched with 28 strikeouts over three starts.