KANSAS CITY -- Chris Sale experienced a bit of everything in Tuesday nights All-Star Game. He couldnt have asked for more.
The White Sox starting pitcher escaped a sixth-inning jam and wound up with a scoreless inning pitched after he struck out World Series MVP David Freese with two men aboard in the National Leagues 8-0 victory over the American League at Kauffman Stadium.
Sale allowed a pair of singles, including a 12-hopper to the Atlanta Braves Chipper Jones, in a 13-pitch inning in his All-Star debut.
It was awesome, Sale said. It was more than I ever even could have thought of. Packed crowd. It was nuts. Ill never forget it. Youre nervous, anxious and excited at the same time. It was a lot fun and I really enjoyed it.
Sale believed his night was off to a forgettable start when St. Louis shortstop Rafael Furcal lined the left-handers first pitch to deep center before Baltimores Adam Jones tracked it down for an out.
Then it was time for an appearance by Atlantas Jones, who played in his eighth and final All-Star Game. When Jones was announced, the sellout crowd of 40,933 offered him a rousing standing ovation. Sale briefly stepped off the mound and composed himself before he delivered a 95-mph fastball that Jones dribbled to the right side for a single under the glove of Texas second baseman Ian Kinsler.
Even though he gave up a hit, Sale was all smiles when asked about the experience.
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Just the player he has been and has continued to be, what a class act, Sale said of Jones. Dont too often like giving up hits, but that ones a little bit easier to handle. Someone like him deserves it too and the ovation he got, him getting a hit, I dont think it could have been any better.
Same goes for Sale who skillfully dodged a potential jam.
Fellow Floridian Andrew McCutchen followed Jones with a single on a 1-2 pitch. But Sale rebounded as he retired Cincinnatis Jay Bruce on a fly ball and struck out Freese on a 95-mph fastball.
As he recounted Sales evening, teammate Jake Peavy beamed like a proud parent.
He made some good pitches, put up a zero and Im sure theres more (All-Star Games) to follow that one, Peavy said. That was the highlight of my night.