The Atlanta Braves beat the Washington Nationals 3-2 in 10 innings on Friday night at Truist Park in Atlanta. With the win, the Braves are now 69-59 on the year and maintain control of the third and final wild card spot in the National League.
Starting pitcher Chris Sale played no role in the decision, but continued his solid comeback season on the mound. The left-hander pitched 7.0 innings and allowed just two earned runs. He did allow nine hits, but he was able to minimize the damage, managing one walk and four strikeouts. He has an excellent ERA of 2.62 this season and will likely be included in the Cy Young discussion.
However, with only four strikeouts, he narrowly missed out on being part of the franchise’s electrifying history.
According to @StatsCentre on social media:
Chris Sale has reached double-digit strikeout numbers in each of his last three starts, totaling 32 strikeouts in that span. If he can get at least 8 strikeouts tonight against the Nationals, he will join the ATL franchise’s roster of pitchers.
He has reached double-digit strikeout totals in each of his last three starts. @Braves Ace Chris Sale has scored a total of 32 points during that span, and if he can score at least 8 points tonight in the game against the Nationals, he will join the list of accomplishments by a pitcher in the ATL franchise. pic.twitter.com/8ys49X7Vec
– StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) 23 August 2024
Sale managed 36 strikeouts in that four-start span, while 40 would have put him on a list with the likes of Charlie Morton, John Smoltz and Spencer Strider.
The Braves and Nationals will play again on Saturday night. First pitch is at 7:20 p.m. ET. Jake Irvin will throw for Washington while Morton will pitch for the Braves. He has a 7-7 record and a 4.29 ERA this year.
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