Struggling Red Sox ace Chris Sale said after his team's 6-3 loss to the Blue Jays on Wednesday that he has never felt more “frustrated” by his performance.
Toronto's Danny Jansen, Brandon Drury and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit home runs off Sale, and he gave up five runs and a season-high nine hits in 5 2/3 innings in Wednesday's game.
“I know who I am and who I’m supposed to be for this team, and I haven’t been anything close,” Sale told reporters (via nesn.com). “I’m, like, 3-8. That’s absolutely embarrassing. … On a team like this, they need me to be better.
“There’s nothing to look back on other than just being bad. I don’t know if it’s this or that, everything feels good. It’s just, I haven’t been getting it done. It’s been a tough go.”
DJ playing our favourite hit 🎧 #LetsGoBlueJays pic.twitter.com/FSnHo2Ie5U
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 4, 2019
Red Sox manager Alex Cora agreed that Sale hasn't lived up to expectations. Sale isn't expected to pitch again until after the All-Star break, which will give him at least nine days off before he's scheduled to face the Dodgers. Cora is hopeful Sale will come back stronger after having some time off, though Cora maintains Sale isn't injured.
“It wasn’t good,” Cora said (per the New York Post). “Just a lot of pitches in the zone. I know he’s disappointed. ... Hopefully, when he comes back, we’ll get him back on track."
After another rough outing, Sale's ERA ballooned to 4.04 to go with his 3-8 mark in 18 starts. With the Red Sox sitting third in the American League East at 45-41 behind the Yankees and Rays, Sale admitted that he's been holding back his team.
“I’m supposed to be a big part of this team, a big part of this pitching staff, and I’ve probably been the biggest crutch,” Sale said.
“I’m standing before you as frustrated as I’ve ever been.”