Braves’ Sale stifles Giants for MLB-high 11th win

Chris Sale allowed only three hits in six innings to earn his 11th win, leading the Atlanta Braves to a 3-1 decision over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night.

Sale (11-3) tied the Kansas City Royals‘ Seth Lugo for the most wins in the majors, confirming his return to form of winning 11 or more games in seven consecutive seasons with the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox. It was also Sale’s eighth victory at home, the most by any pitcher this season, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

“Is that more wins than I’ve gotten in the last five years combined?” Sale asked with a smile.

It is Sale’s most wins since finishing 12-4 in 2018 with Boston. The left-hander recorded nine strikeouts while allowing one run to position himself for All-Star consideration.

“We’ll cross that bridge if it gets here,” Sale said when asked about the possibility of being named the National League’s starting pitcher. “I would appreciate it, but again, we’ve got games to play. I don’t want to be distracted.”

The Giants were held to four hits by Sale and three relievers.

Austin Riley hit a two-run double in the fifth for the Braves (47-37).

Sale needed only six pitches to retire the Giants in order in the first, setting the stage for his strong start. The left-hander struck out the side in the third and added two more strikeouts to open the fifth before Curt Casali lined a single to center field for San Francisco’s first hit.

The Braves took a 1-0 lead on three consecutive hits, including Adam Duvall‘s run-scoring double off Jordan Hicks (4-5) to open the second. Duvall had three hits.

Hicks allowed three runs in five innings.

“It’s not like [Hicks] pitched poorly,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said. “It came down to not solving Sale and then three pretty good relievers after that.”

Riley’s double off the right-field wall stretched the lead to 3-0.

Plate umpire Ryan Additon called Riley safe on his slide at home as he tried to score from second on Travis d’Arnaud‘s single to right field. The Giants (42-45) challenged the call, and the replay showed Casali tagged Riley after catching the throw from right fielder Austin Slater.

Matt Chapman‘s double drove in Jorge Soler in the sixth for the Giants’ only run.

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

The Associated Press contributed to this report.