Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell faced a difficult decision. His team held a comfortable 8-0 lead that they padded with a lengthy top of the eighth inning and his starting pitcher had already thrown 99 pitches to that point. On the other hand, Chris Sale was on the verge of a tremendous accomplishment.
Farrell ended up sending Sale back out to the mound for the bottom of the eighth, which the lefty breezed through by retiring the side in order. The first two batters grounded out – one routine, the other on a spectacular play by third baseman Deven Marrero.