Chris Sale Joins Lefty Grove As Only Pitchers With Two Immaculate Innings In A Season

Denny Medley/USA TODAY Sports

Chris Sale picked up his second win of the season on Wednesday night against the Royals, tossing a three-hit, no-walk, 12-strikeout shutout in an 8-0 Sox victory. He was simply dominant, with an immaculate inning on top of it, his second of the season.

The Red Sox's ace is now just the second pitcher in Major League history to record two immaculate innings in a season. Lefty Grove is the other, having done so for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1928.

Sale struck out Kelvin Gutierrez, Nicky Lopez, and Martin Maldonado in the seventh inning to, once again, accomplish the rare feat and tie history:

Chris Sale, Immaculate Inning (ending with a 98mph Fastball). pic.twitter.com/LrMjZ3uxsI

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 6, 2019

While improving his record to 2-7, Sale also lowered his ERA from 4.35 to 3.84, in what was his 16th career complete game and third career shutout.

Sale's ERA in his last nine starts is 2.43, after struggling to an 8.50 mark in his first four of this season. In addition, he's struck out 10 or more in seven of those nine starts, something he didn't do in those first four.

It's safe to say Sale is back. After a rough start, the ace of the Sox is feeling good and has figured it out. He's the punchout master.