Chris Sale has given up two homers through 2.1 IP today. That’s the same number he allowed in his final 83 regular-season innings of 2018, spanning 15 starts.
Gonzales is now done. He gave up nine hits over 5+ innings, yet just 3 runs allowed so far. Roenis Elias, acquired by the Sox with Carson Smith in exchange for Wade Miley/Jonathan Aro in 2015, is now on for Seattle to face Benintendi.
The Sox allowed as many as 5 homers just once in 2018 (7/1/18 vs the Yankees). The 12 runs allowed are tied for the second most on Opening Day in the last 100 years, surpassed only by a 15-run abomination in 1950.
Instant Analysis: Sox, Sale open title defense with a thud. For the first time as a starter in his Red Sox career, Sale didn’t get a swing/miss on a 4-seam fastball. bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/… via @BostonGlobe
Cora: Sale is find physically. He ‘was ready to pitch’ despite limited spring workload. Says it was just a bad outing largely due to lack of fastball command. He says velo was similar to first start of ‘18
Red Sox pitching coach Dana LeVangie thought Chris Sale was falling out of his mechanics on his slider (front side coming open too early) and fastball, impacting velo and command. His thoughts on Sale's velocity: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D2zDZ9JUgAARwIo.jpg