Braves left-hander Chris Sale strikes 9 times in 6 innings for his 11th win in a 3-1 victory over the Giants

ATLANTA (AP) — Chris Sale allowed just three hits in six innings for his 11th win, leading the Atlanta Braves to a 3-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night.

Sale (11-3) tied Kansas City’s Seth Lugo for the most wins in the major leagues, confirming his return to early-career form by winning 11 or more games in seven straight seasons with the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox.

“Is that more wins than I’ve had in the last five years combined?” Sale asked with a smile.

It was Sale’s most wins since he went 12-4 in 2018 with Boston. The left-hander had nine strikeouts while allowing just one run and positioned himself for an All-Star berth.

“We’ll cross that bridge if it happens,” Sale said when asked about the possibility of being named a National League starting pitcher. “… I’d appreciate that, but again, we’ve got games to play. I don’t want to be distracted.”

The Giants were held to four hits by Sale and three relievers.

Austin Riley hit a doubled by two points on the fifth.

Sale needed just six pitches to retire the Giants in order in the first inning, setting the stage for his strong start. The left-hander struck out all three batters in the third inning. Sale added two more strikeouts to open the fifth inning before Curt Casali singled to center field for San Francisco’s first hit.

The Braves took a 1-0 lead on three straight hits, including one by Adam Duvall double pointer against Jordan Hicks (4-5) to open the second inning. Duvall had three hits.

Hicks allowed three runs in five innings.

“It’s not like he pitched badly,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said of Hicks. “He was just not able to beat Sale and then three really good relievers after that.”

Riley’s two-run double off the right-field wall in the fifth extended the lead to 3-0.

Home plate umpire Ryan Additon ruled Riley out of harm’s way on his slide into the plate as he tried to score from second base on Travis d’Arnaud’s single to right field. The Giants challenged the call, and replay showed Casali tagged Riley after catching right fielder Austin Slater’s throw.

Matt Chapman’s double allowed Jorge Soler to score the Giants’ only run in the sixth inning.

Chapman reached base on a one-out infield single in the ninth before Raisel Iglesias completed his 21st save in 23 chances.

Giants left fielder Luis Matos dove to catch Riley’s sinking liner to end the third.

TRAINERS’ ROOM

Giants: Melvin said there’s “a chance” left-handed pitcher Kyle Harrison (right ankle sprain) could come off the injured list to start Saturday at Cleveland.

Braves: SS Orlando Arcia missed his second straight game after having an abscessed tooth removed. Manager Brian Snitker said Arcia had an infection and was being given protein shakes “just to get something down his throat.” … Outfielder Ramón Laureano (lower back soreness) said he’s feeling better, but Snitker said “it’s not good enough to play. … He can’t run. He can’t swing yet.” … Outfielder Michael Harris II (left hamstring strain) ran for the first time since going on the disabled list June 16. … Snitker managed to laugh after being hit below the belt by a foul ball hit by Ozzie Albies in the fifth.

FOLLOWING

Giants right-hander Logan Webb (6-6, 3.12 ERA) will try to improve his strong-pitching record at Truist Park when he faces Braves right-hander Charlie Morton (5-4, 3.89) in the series finale Thursday night. Webb is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in four career starts in Atlanta.

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