Boston Red Sox left-handed ace Chris Sale amassed an 0-4 record, 8.50 ERA and 14 strikeouts in his first four starts.
That span is a distant memory now.
Sale punched out 17 Colorado Rockies in seven innings Tuesday, capping a torrid five-start stretch that includes 59 strikeouts.
MLB Stats posted eye-popping comparisons that put Sale in great company:
MLB StatsChris Sale is the... - 1st pitcher since Max Scherzer (May 11, 2016) to strike out 17+. - 1st LHP with 17+ K since Johan Santana (Aug. 19, 2007). - 1st Red Sox pitcher to do so since Pedro Martínez (May 6, 2000).