Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale returns with 4 2/3 perfect innings before allowing solo homer

BOSTON (AP) — Boston Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale took a perfect game into the fifth inning against Detroit in his return from the injured list before allowing a solo home run and leaving his first appearance since June 1 with a 4-1 lead after 58 pitches.

Sale struck out seven, getting Jake Rogers to lead off the fifth before Miguel Cabrera grounded to shortstop. But Kerry Carpenter hit a 1-1 slider over Boston's bullpen, spoiling Sale's perfect game, no-hitter and shutout.

Sale then hit Javier Báez with a pitch and was relieved by Kyle Barraclough, who walked Zack Short and gave up a single to pinch-hitter Riley Greene that made it 4-2. Matt Vierling struck out to end the inning.

Sale went on the injured list following a June 1 start that he left complaining of shoulder soreness — the sixth straight season he spent time on the injured list. He was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his left shoulder.

Sale made seven straight All-Star games, posting a 103-62 record with a 2.89 ERA before agreeing in March 2019 to a deal that added $145 and five years to his contract. Since then, he has gone 16-15 with a 4.21 ERA.

Including Friday, when he did not qualify for a decision, he is 5-2 with a 4.38 ERA in 12 starts this season.

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