(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Chris Sale threw seven-plus innings, struck out seven, allowed five hits and walked one as he broke one of the Chicago White Sox's oldest single-season records with a strikeout in the second inning in their 2-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers.
Sale finished the season with 274 strikeouts surpassing the previous high of 269 set by Ed Walsh in 1908.
"It's awesome," said Sale. "It's definitely something I appreciate. It hasn't quite set in yet, but I know what it means, I know what it is and I'm very thankful for that and appreciative of it."
David Robertson pitched the ninth for his 34th save.
Adam Eaton led the way offensively for Chicago, with a double and two RBIs, while Alfredo Simon started and took the loss for the Tigers.
Rookie Jefry Marte provided the lone Detroit run with a solo homer off Sale in the second inning, giving the Tigers a 1-0 lead, but the White Sox's ace settled into a groove soon
after.
Sale needed three strikeouts to pass Walsh's mark and he tied it with two in the first then eclipsed it in the second after he gave up Marte's homer when he struck out Detroit catcher James McCann.
His accomplishment was noted on the video boards in the outfield concourse and the smattering of fans in attendance gave him an ovation.
"There was a lot of stuff going on. I felt like I couldn't really pitch until I got (the record), and then after that I kind of settled in," Sale added. "It was a great experience and something I'll never forget."
Sale's team mates made the game a little more special in the third, handing him a 2-1 lead following a two-run double by Eaton. Sale and the White Sox's bullpen took it from there.
"He's a very good pitcher," said Tigers shortstop Dixon Machado, who went 1-for-3.
"The way that he throws, and he was down in the zone throwing a fast ball for strikes.
"Pitchers who can throw hard and throw strikes, they're really hard to hit."
Angels' playoff hopes alive with win over Rangers
Mike Trout hit a leadoff triple in the ninth and then scored the winning run in a 2-1 victory on Friday over the Texas Rangers, keeping the Los Angeles Angels' playoff hopes alive.
Pounding his hands together, it was obvious what the moment meant to last year's MVP.
"It's a big game," Trout said. "We're fighting."
The Angels (84-76) were one game behind Houston starting the day in the race for the second wild-card spot. Minnesota also began Friday tied with Los Angeles.
"We can't lose anymore," Trout said.
The loss kept the Rangers (87-73) from celebrating an American League West title before a sellout crowd of 47,219.
Texas, already assured of a spot in the post-season, came into the game needing one win or a Houston loss to clinch the division.
The Astros were at Arizona later on Friday.
"We've got two games left and we're going to continue to play hard," Texas manager Jeff Banister said.
"These guys have done a tremendous job of responding to situations like this. I felt like we played well. We had some opportunities with some baserunners, but we were able to only manage the one run."
Los Angeles starter Jared Weaver allowed only one run through six innings, leaving with the game tied.
Rangers starter Martin Perez was done after seven innings, having allowed four hits and one run while striking out
four. The bullpens for both squads held firm until Trout opened the ninth with a shot to right-center off Texas closer Shawn Tolleson.
"(Trout) did a good job of staying back and going the other way," Tolleson said.
"They asked me how I felt today and I told them I felt really good, and I did. I felt good out there. I felt like I had good stuff out there. Things just didn't play out."
Designated hitter Albert Pujols followed with a soft single to center to score Trout.
"We were quiet for a while, got two big hits in the ninth," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "And you can't say enough about our bullpen."
Angels reliever Joe Smith, the AL leader with 32 holds this season, picked up his fourth save after a perfect ninth.
Relievers Trevor Gott, Jose Alvarez and Mike Morin (4-2) also had scoreless outings for the Angels.
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