Chris Sale. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Red Sox had no answer for James Paxton last night in the Bronx. He struck out a dozen in New York's 8-0 shutout of Boston—but the man who's really searching is Chris Sale.
The Sox' recently-extended ace looked improved. Control was better and his velocity reached 98, but he still gave up four runs in five frames.
Sale only lost four games all last year in 27 starts. Four starts into this season, he's lost them all with an ERA pushing 9.
"I'm not gonna sugarcoat it, I just flat-out stink right now," Sale said. "I don't know what it is, I mean, when you're going good, it's good, and when you're going bad, it's pretty bad. I'll show up tomorrow, put on my shoes, and get back after it."
In a move that wreaked of desperation, Sox even designated talented hitter Blake Swihart for assignment yesterday to make room on the big league roster for Sandy Leon, after he led baseball in catcher's ERA last year, including a 2.04 mark with Sale.
Obviously, it didn't help last night.
Mookie Betts said it's strange to see.
"Definitely not something we're accustomed to, but he's also human," Betts said. "His next one could be one of the best. Just one of those things we'll have to continue to work on."
Sox and Yankees again tonight.
WBZ NewsRadio's Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) reports