Sales tunes return, pitch 2 innings with Boston

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Chris Sale threw two scoreless innings for the Boston Red Sox in the seven-time All-Star’s return after several injury-plagued seasons.

Making his first start in spring training, Sale allowed two hits and struck out two against Detroit on Monday.

“I came back. Now I appreciate it more,” Sale told the Boston Globe. “I try to have more fun, open my mind, try to soak things up and enjoy them.”

Sale was one of the most dominant pitchers of the 2010s, but has only thrown 48 1/3 innings since 2019. He missed the entire 2020 season recovering from Tommy John’s surgery and suffered several injuries the previous season, including a bicycle accident, which kept him off the mound.

Sale, 33, faces the fourth season of his five-year, $145 million contract.

BEACHES

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Mychal Givens had two misses in the fourth inning.

Givens had both hesitations because he didn’t come to a full stop before throwing his shot. MLB has warned umpires will be looking for more denials when runners are on base.

Givens had recorded one denial in 419 regular season appearances.

Some pitchers – especially relievers – have quirks in their motion, stopping before they throw. Technically, it’s balking, but usually referees let these moves slide.

This is no longer the case. A full stop, no move is more important because the shot clock operator turns off the new shot clock once the pitcher heads for home plate.

Still, Givens pitched a scoreless inning in relief, striking out two on strikes.

POPULAR COURAGEOUS

The Atlanta Braves intend to halt season ticket sales in order to maintain the availability of individual game tickets.

Braves president Derek Schiller has said for the first time in team history that they must halt season ticket sales before the start of the season.

The Braves will stop selling season tickets on March 17. The team has assured that it is close to reaching the attendance record at Truist Park in 2022, of 3.1 million people.

Atlanta ranked fourth in the majors last season, with an average attendance of 38,461.

“We are now working to ensure that more fans who attend one or two games can purchase tickets,” Schiller added in a team statement.

The Braves have indicated that the first game at their stadium, April 6 against San Diego and other big games, are close to being sold out or with waitlisted tickets.