Red Sox's Sale fastest MLB pitcher to 2,000 strikeouts

Thomas Lott

Red Sox's Sale fastest MLB pitcher to 2,000 strikeouts image

Chris Sale made history as he became the fastest MLB player to 2,000 strikeouts.

Sale set the milestone during reigning World Series champions the Boston Red Sox's clash with the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday.

On a 1-2 count to Oscar Mercado, Sale was able to get a swinging strike on a slider to the rookie centerfielder.

Sale reached 2,000 strikeouts in 1,626 innings – eclipsing Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez, who achieved the feat in 1,711.1 innings.

The strikeout was Sale's 211th of the season.

This is the seventh straight season in which Sale has struck out at least 200 batters. And at his current K rate this season, the 30-year-old has a chance to once again break 300 strikeouts which would be his second time to accomplish that feat in the last three years.

Sale is a seven-time All-Star, while he helped the Red Sox win the World Series last season.

 

Thomas Lott