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Chris Sale returns as Red Sox clinch first postseason berth of MLB season with win over Blue Jays

Jason Owens
Staff writer

Their postseason status has long been a near certainty, but now it’s official.

The Boston Red Sox clinched the first postseason berth of the MLB season with a 7-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday.

They also got a look at ace Chris Sale, who returned from his second stint on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation.

Chris Sale pitched one shutout inning as the Red Sox became MLB’s first team to clinch a postseason berth. (AP)
Chris Sale pitched one shutout inning as the Red Sox became MLB’s first team to clinch a postseason berth. (AP)

Chris Sale throws 26 pitches in brief appearance

It was a brief appearance for Sale, who threw 26 pitches in an abbreviated one-inning start that saw him strike out two while giving up a hit and no runs. The plan was for Sale to work two innings and throw a maximum of 40 pitches. When he needed 26 pitches in the first, he did not return for the second.

Looking well on their way to baseball’s best record, the Red Sox haven’t quite cleared the New York Yankees for the AL East title. But they will do no worse than a wild card berth after improving to 99-46.

As Yahoo Sports’ Mike Oz points out, only two teams in the last 10 years have gone on to win the World Series after posting the game’s best record. So the Red Sox will be looking to buck recent history if they do maintain this regular season pace.

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