Chris Sale’s first start at Fenway Park in 18 months didn’t go well.
The Red Sox lefty seven runs on seven hits, two walks, six strikeouts, and three home runs in three innings in what ended up being a 9-8 win over the Orioles on Saturday.
But Sale’s outing put the Red Sox in a 7-1 hole early. After striking out the game’s leadoff hitter, he allowed a single to Adley Rutschman before Ryan Mountcastle hit a 422-foot homer to make it 2-0. Two batters later, Austin Hays took Sale yard by hitting his fastball 430 feet to center field.