Chris Sale named to fourth American League All-Star team

Left-handed pitcher Chris Sale of the Chicago White Sox has been named to the American League All-Star Team for the fourth consecutive season. Sale, 26, joins left-hander Billy Pierce (1955-59) as the only pitchers in White Sox history to make at least four straight AL All-Star Teams.

Sale, the reigning AL Pitcher of the Month, is 6-4 with a 2.87 ERA (33 ER/103.1 IP) and 141 strikeouts over 15 starts this season. Entering tonight's start, he leads the major leagues in strikeouts per 9.0 IP (12.28), is tied for the major-league lead in strikeouts and ranks among the AL leaders in numerous categories, including strikeout-to-walk ratio (2nd, 6.41), quality starts (T2nd, 12), WHIP (3rd, 0.97) and ERA (9th).

Some other noteworthy accomplishments by Sale:

• Is attempting tonight to become the first pitcher in major-league history to strike out 10 or more batters in nine consecutive starts.

• Is on pace to post a franchise-record 289 strikeouts, which would be the highest total in the major leagues since Randy Johnson fanned 290 in 2004.

• His average of 12.28 strikeouts per 9.0 IP would be the highest total for a starting pitcher in the majors since Johnson averaged 13.41 in 2001.

• Leads the majors with 141 strikeouts, the second-highest total in White Sox history before the All-Star Break behind Wilbur Wood's 142 in 1973. 

• His 75 strikeouts in June broke Juan Pizarro's franchise monthly record of 61 set in August 1961 and were the most in the major leagues since Nolan Ryan set the modern-day record of 87 with California in June 1977. 

• His 766 strikeouts through his first 100 career starts are the highest total in major-league history, according to Elias.

• Has struck out 10 or more batters 27 times in 100 career starts, 12 or more 16 times and has recorded six games with 10-plus strikeouts and no walks.