Atlanta Braves’ Ace Chris Sale Continues to Re-Work Baseball History Books…read more…
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Atlanta, GA – June 11, 2025 –
The Atlanta Braves reclaimed momentum on Monday, thanks to another dominant outing by ace left‑hander Chris Sale, who once again etched his name deeper into MLB history while silencing the Milwaukee Brewers in a 7–1 win .
Inferno on the Mound
Sale delivered seven quality innings, surrendering just one earned run on five hits and two walks, while striking out a season‑high 11 batters . The performance snapped the Braves’ season‑worst seven‑game losing skid and provided much‑needed stability to an inconsistent pitching staff .
Historic Numbers
But the magic wasn’t just in the box score—it was in the legacy Sale is building. His latest gem marked his 50th career start with at least 10 strikeouts and allowing one or fewer runs. That milestone catapults him onto the all‑time list:
Nolan Ryan – 93
Randy Johnson – 92
Roger Clemens – 64
Pedro Martínez – 59
Max Scherzer – 55
Chris Sale – 50
Fastest to 2,500 K’s
Earlier in the season, on May 29, Sale became the fastest pitcher in MLB history to reach 2,500 career strikeouts, achieving the milestone in just 2,026 innings—beating Randy Johnson’s mark by over 80 innings . At age 36, he now ranks 40th all‑time in strikeouts with 2,521 Ks .
A Return to Form
Sale’s season began tentatively—washed out in April, he posted a 4.84 ERA through his first few starts. But since then, he’s emerged as arguably the best pitcher in baseball, with a 1.41 ERA over his last nine starts, including five consecutive outings allowing one earned run or fewer . As a result, his ERA has dropped to 2.79 on the season, with 107 strikeouts in 80.2 innings .
Building a Hall‑of‑Fame Case
Sale’s renaissance continues to strengthen his Hall‑of‑Fame candidacy. Not only does he lead in career strikeouts and historic per‑inning attack, but he also overcame serious injury issues—Tommy John and rib fractures between 2019–2023—to win the 2024 NL Cy Young Award and earn the pitching Triple Crown . His career stats now stand at 142–87, a 3.03 ERA, and 2,521 strikeouts over 2,039 innings .
Braves manager Brian Snitker praised Sale’s “historical impact” and tireless dedication, calling him “a true ballplayer” and highlighting his influence on the club despite their struggling 28–37 record .
Impact on the Club
Sale’s resurgence has lifted the Braves, not just statistically but emotionally. The team’s offense erupted behind homers from Matt Olson, Eli White, and Ronald Acuña Jr., while Sale’s presence quelled the buzz of a brewing crisis . The Diamondbacks’ Merrill Kelly pitched credibly against him earlier in June, but Sale still notched 10 strikeouts on that night—surpassing Christy Mathewson for 39th all‑time in career Ks .
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What’s Next?
If Sale continues this dominant pace, the Braves could see themselves as dark horse contenders. With his club option looming for 2026, trade speculation is swirling—but Sale’s resurgence may have Atlanta’s brass thinking differently .
Final Word
Chris Sale’s Monday performance was more than a stat line—it was another chapter in a historic career. Dominant on the mound, unrelenting in his pursuit of excellence, and now etching his legacy deeper each night, Sale is doing what greats do: re‑writing baseball history—one strikeout at a time.
