Red Sox Report: Chris Sale throws 52 pitches in minor-league game

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Chris Sale faced 15 batters over four innings in a controlled minor league game Sunday – though the innings were dictated by pitch count, not outs – throwing 52 pitches.

The Red Sox ace threw 15 pitches in the first inning, 12 in the second and third, and 13 in the fourth. He was scheduled to throw 10 in the fourth, but didn't want to finish on another incomplete batter, which he had done already twice in previous innings.

---

Here's video from his day, which includes all of his five strikeouts, along with the other completed plate appearances, in order:

Sale's first batter. pic.twitter.com/EvhyP7j8Dh

— Nick Friar (@Nick_Friar) March 4, 2018

Second hitter against Sale. pic.twitter.com/ONkbeAyxN2

— Nick Friar (@Nick_Friar) March 4, 2018

Third hitter to face Sale. Hard slider to finish things. pic.twitter.com/dOyrLkb9H7

— Nick Friar (@Nick_Friar) March 4, 2018

And here's the fourth hitter of Sale's first inning, the AB he wasn't allowed to finish. pic.twitter.com/qihBiexQxv

— Nick Friar (@Nick_Friar) March 4, 2018

First hitter of the second inning for Sale. pic.twitter.com/TkPB4DCbDZ

— Nick Friar (@Nick_Friar) March 4, 2018

Second hitter, second inning for Sale. pic.twitter.com/hnpowvMELx

— Nick Friar (@Nick_Friar) March 4, 2018

Third hitter, second inning for Sale. pic.twitter.com/EMvfQydY7p

— Nick Friar (@Nick_Friar) March 4, 2018

First batter of Sale's third inning. pic.twitter.com/Sb3Tv69Zfs

— Nick Friar (@Nick_Friar) March 4, 2018

Second batter of Sale's third frame. pic.twitter.com/PF5itrjDeg

— Nick Friar (@Nick_Friar) March 4, 2018

Third batter of Sales third inning, with a foul ball heading right at me. pic.twitter.com/67hO5PWQnl

— Nick Friar (@Nick_Friar) March 4, 2018

Second batter of Sale's third frame. pic.twitter.com/PF5itrjDeg

— Nick Friar (@Nick_Friar) March 4, 2018

First hitter to face Sale in the fourth. pic.twitter.com/vQqK5IGsQs

— Nick Friar (@Nick_Friar) March 4, 2018

Second hitter in Sale's fourth frame. pic.twitter.com/CuYJq2LLqG

— Nick Friar (@Nick_Friar) March 4, 2018

Last hitter of Sale's fourth. pic.twitter.com/6gtPbYaDmH

— Nick Friar (@Nick_Friar) March 4, 2018