CHICAGO — Cuban Luis Robert Jr. hit a home run in the first inning and five pitchers combined to allow three hits in Thursday’s duel, a 1-0 victory obtained by the Chicago White Sox against Chris Sale and the Braves from Atlanta.
Sale (10-3) struck out a season-high 11 in seven innings against his original team. The 35-year-old left-hander allowed four hits and one walk in his fourth straight strong start.
He only suffered damage when Robert hit a slider down and inside for his eighth homer.
Chicago ended a four-game losing streak and won for just the second time in nine games. The White Sox have the worst record in the majors (22-61).
Atlanta has lost two straight and three of its last four.
For the Braves, Dominican Marcell Ozuna 2-0. Venezuelan Orlando Arcia 3-1.
For the White Sox, Cuban Robert was 2-for-3 with one run scored and one RBI. Dominican Eloy Jiménez 3-0. Venezuelan Lenyn Sosa 3-0. Puerto Rican Martín Maldonado 3-0.