Chris Sale's poor Opening Day performance a rarity for Red Sox ace

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Chris Sale's Opening Day start vs. the Mariners did not go as planned. Not by a long shot.

The Red Sox ace started off strong, striking out the side in the first inning. Then, things went downhill. Sale allowed seven earned runs and six hits in only three innings pitched, matching the most runs he's given up in a Red Sox uniform. The left-hander walked two and struck out four.

Thursday marked by far the worst Opening Day start of Sale's career. In Sale's previous four Opening Day starts, he went 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA (6 ER/28 IP). 

His seven runs allowed were the most by a Red Sox starter on Opening Day since 2002, when Pedro Martinez allowed eight runs in three innings vs. Toronto.

Sale also allowed three home runs, the first time he's done that since September 2017.

Hector Velazquez replaced Sale in the fourth inning of Thursday's game.

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