White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale was dominant in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Orioles, as he struck out a season-best 12 in a 3-2 win. The left-hander allowed just four hits and no walks in 7 2/3 scoreless innings.
"Historically, I have been pretty terrible against this team," Sale said, per the Chicago Sun Times. "So it was nice to be able to turn that around."
Sale (4-2) got off to a blistering start Thursday. He struck out the side in the first inning and retired the first eight batters he faced before giving up a two-out single to Everth Cabrera in the third inning.
Sale gave up another two-out single in the fourth inning, and two more singles in the seventh inning.
He was lifted after striking out the first two batters in the eighth. Sale also struck out five straight batters at one point, with the streak starting in the bottom of the fifth.
Sale has at least 10 strikeouts in three of his last four starts. He had no 10-plus strikeout games in his first five starts.
Thursday also marked the first time Sale beat Baltimore in four starts. The Orioles were the only AL team he did not have a win against.
He is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday at Texas.