Braves' Sale demands ball in 9th to cap 1st complete game since 2019 in 1-0 shutout of Dodgers

ATLANTA (AP) — Chris Sale already had thrown 97 pitches through eight innings, a full game for most pitchers in most games.

Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss had relievers ready in the bullpen for the ninth.

Even so, both knew Sale was not coming out Thursday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers. After learning before the game about the death of a friend, Sale had extra motivation to finish the shutout in Atlanta's 1-0 win for a series sweep.

“He was on a mission,” Weiss said. “You could see it. He was attacking from the first pitch. And not that he doesn’t do that, but you can see he had a different look in his eye. And the look in the eye is always pretty good. But it was even a little bit different tonight.”

That different look meant Weiss already was planning to have Sale return to the mound for the ninth. Then, he said, Sale walked into the dugout after the eighth and announced, `This is mine.'"

Weiss wasn't about to argue.

Sale said he received a text message before the game saying his friend, Ashley Foss, a financial advisor who worked with Sale's agent, B.B. Abbott, had died. Sale provided no details.

“If you ever needed more incentive, that's all you're going to need right there,” Sale said.

The 37-year-old lefty was dominant in throwing only 60 pitches through five innings and 81 through seven. He allowed just five hits with no walks, throwing 80 of his 109 pitches for strikes.

Sale fanned 11 for his fourth double-digit strikeout game this season and the 95th of his career. The 10-time All-Star ranks seventh all-time. Sandy Koufax is sixth with 97.

Weiss said it was a Hall of Fame-caliber performance by Sale.

“I always talk about how the Hall of Famers are just different, and that’s a perfect example right there,” Weiss said. “Chris knew that we were really thin tonight in the bullpen, so he puts a team on his back and throws a complete-game shutout against the world champions.”

Weiss stuck with Sale even after Freddie Freeman singled to open the Dodgers ninth.

Teoscar Hernández popped out, pinch-runner Alek Thomas was out at second on Miguel Rojas’ fielder’s-choice grounder and Sale struck out Alex Call for his 17th complete game and first since 2019 with Boston at Kansas City.

It was Sale’s fourth career shutout and first since that three-hitter against the Royals on June 5, 2019. Sale threw a 100.1 mph fastball to Shohei Ohtani in the third, reaching triple digits on a pitch for the first time since July 2018 with the Red Sox.

Sale (13-9) lowered his ERA to 2.06 with the overpowering outing in a matchup of National League division leaders. He trails only Milwaukee ace Jacob Misiorowski (1.73) among qualified major league pitchers.

“I’m just thankful to get through it, man,” Sale said. “Like I said, I pride myself on working hard and I pride myself on going out there and giving my team a chance to win.”

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Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale, right, speaks with umpire Edwin Jimenez (75) during a replay review in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)

Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale delivers to a Los Angeles Dodgers batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)

Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale (51) celebrates with catcher Drake Baldwin after Sale won a complete game shutout of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)

Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale (51) celebrates with catcher Drake Baldwin, right after winning a baseball game shutout against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)

Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale, right, celebrates after winning a baseball game shutout against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)

TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays signed veteran right-hander Michael Lorenzen to a one-year contract on Thursday to help shore up a bullpen that has been used heavily in recent weeks.

Lorenzen was released by the Colorado Rockies earlier this month. His arrival in Toronto came a day after the Blue Jays used seven relievers in a 3-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals.

“Availability for length and availability to do a lot of different things,” Toronto manager John Schneider said before the Blue Jays faced the Kansas City Royals.

Lorenzen, who started 25 of his 26 appearances with the Rockies this year, was pressed into action in a 13-2 loss to the Royals. He worked two innings of relief and allowed an earned run on three hits with a walk and two strikeouts.

Lorenzen, a 12-year MLB veteran, was 3-11 with a 7.08 earned-run average this season with Colorado.

The 34-year-old Lorenzen spent his first seven seasons with the Cincinnati Reds and was an All-Star with the Detroit Tigers in 2023. He has also played for the Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers.

“You pick up a guy that’s done it before and that can basically throw every day,” Schneider said.

Bullpen games have become a frequent occurrence for the Blue Jays this season due to injuries. Shane Bieber would have started on Wednesday, but he was placed on the 15-day injured list due to muscle inflammation in his right shoulder.

Other Toronto starters on the IL include Trey Yesavage (knee), Jose Berrios (elbow), Patrick Corbin (shoulder), Bowden Francis (elbow), Cody Ponce (knee) and Jameson Taillon (forearm).

Several Blue Jays relievers are in the top 15 on the major-league list for appearances this season.

Entering play Thursday, Mason Fluharty led all players with 71 appearances. Braydon Fisher (64) was fifth, Tyler Rogers (63) was tied for sixth and closer Louis Varland (61) was tied for 12th.

Schneider said Lorenzen could also be used as a starter over the final month of the season, if needed.

“He’s done it obviously this year and in the past,” he said. “So he can do that or can do multiple things out of the ‘pen. He could do one inning out of the ’pen.”

Lorenzen arrived with a 57-66 record and 4.40 ERA over 421 career appearances, including 144 starts.

“It’s tough to pitch (at altitude) in Colorado, we know that,” Schneider said. “He’s excited to be here. He loves the place.”

Also Thursday, the Blue Jays optioned right-hander Chad Dallas to Triple-A Buffalo and transferred outfielder Jonatan Clase to the 60-day injured list.

Colorado Rockies pitcher Michael Lorenzen (24) throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)

Colorado Rockies pitcher Michael Lorenzen (24) throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)