ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Chris Sale worked five scoreless innings in his season debut, but the Boston Red Sox bullpen couldn't hold a two-run lead in a 3-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night.
Sale, out all season with a fracture in his right rib cage, allowed three hits with one walk and struck out five. The lefty reached 97 mph on his fastball during a 78-pitch, 53-strike outing.
"Step in the right direction," Sale said. "Command was spotty at times, but when I really had to bear down and get it, I felt like I was able to.