Chris Sale had not finished a game in seven years. He had not thrown a pitch 100 miles per hour in eight.
Thursday night, the 37-year-old Braves’ lefthander did both.
Sale scattered five hits, struck out 11 and did not walk a batter as he shut out the Dodgers 1-0 at Truist Park.
The last time Sale went nine innings, he was wearing a Red Sox jersey. It was June 5, 2019 in Kansas City. Since then he had Tommy John surgery, broke a rib and won a Cy Young Award at age 35. He barely pitched for four of those years, 31 starts total from 2020 through 2023.
But Thursday night, Sale pitched like those seven years were just a bad dream.
His fastball touched 100.1 miles per hour, his hardest pitch since 2018. He used it on Shohei Ohtani, who struck out twice swinging and did not get a hit out of the infield until the eighth inning. Sale needed 109 pitches and threw 80 of them for strikes. He generated 20 swings and misses.
Sale has been living on the margins all season. He lost 2-1 at Milwaukee last Friday and 2-0 to Arizona the week before. Thursday night, the one run came from Drake Baldwin, who led off the bottom of the first with his 22nd home run.
That was all Sale was going to get and he made it stand up. He is 13-9 with a 2.06 ERA, a combination that takes some doing. He has 177 strikeouts and 28 walks in 144 innings.
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A golden retriever watches the game between the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants during the annual āBark in the Parkā at Globe Life Field on Aug. 4, 2026.
(Raymond Carlin III, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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A golden retriever watches the game between the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants during the annual āBark in the Parkā at Globe Life Field on Aug. 4, 2026.
(Raymond Carlin III, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Jonah the Dog, who went viral on social media while looking at another dog eat a hot dog a week earlier at a Bark in the Park event, helps throw out a ceremonial first pitch with Billy the Marlin before the game between the Cleveland Guardians and Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park on July 12, 2026.
(Jim Rassol, Imagn Images)
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Dogs and their caretakers parade around the warning track as the San Francisco Giants celebrate “Dog Day” before taking on the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park on July 11, 2026.
(D. Ross Cameron, D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images)
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Peanut the Dachshund joins the parade as the San Francisco Giants celebrate “Dog Day” before taking on the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park on July 11, 2026.
(D. Ross Cameron, Imagn Images)
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Ollie the toy poodle of San Francisco sports a pair of shades as the San Francisco Giants celebrate “Dog Day” before taking on the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park on July 11, 2026.
(D. Ross Cameron, Imagn Images)
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Dharma the pug sports a Giants jersey and a multi-colored mohawk as the San Francisco Giants celebrate “Dog Day” before taking on the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park on July 11, 2026.
(D. Ross Cameron, Imagn Images)
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An Arizona Diamondbacks fan holds a dog during the game against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field on June 30, 2026.
(Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images)
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A dog poses on the warning track prior to a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels during the annual āPups in the Parkā event at Dodger Stadium on June 7, 2026.
(William Liang, Imagn Images)
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Dogs walk or ride on the warning track at Dodger Stadium prior to a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels during the stadium’s annual āPups in the Parkā event on June 7, 2026.
(William Liang, Imagn Images)
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A dog poses for a photo on the warning track as fans gather for “Bark in the Park before the game between the Washington Nationals and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 13, 2026.
(Aaron Doster, Imagn Images)
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Fans and their dogs participate in “Bark in the Park” day before the game between the New York Mets and Detroit Tigers at Citi Field on May 12, 2026.
(John Jones, Imagn Images)
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Tucker, the Seattle Mariners’ clubhouse dog, plays during batting practice before the game between the Mariners and Atlanta Braves at T-Mobile Park on May 4, 2026.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
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The New York Mets host Bark in the Park night at Citi Field on April 28, 2026.
(Elsa, Getty Images)
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The Phillie Phanatic interacts with Philadelphia Phillies service dog Tugger during a break in action during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Citizens Bank Park on Aug. 6, 2025.
(Bill Streicher, Imagn Images)
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June 22, 2025: Dodger Stadium
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Getty Images)
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Bruce the Bat Dog fetches a bat before a game between the Washington Nationals and the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park on June 14, 2025 in Washington, DC.
(Jess Rapfogel, Getty Images)
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June 14, 2025: Bruce the Bat Dog, from the Washington Nationals Triple-A affiliate Rochester Red Wings, stands atop the dugout steps during pregame festivities prior to the Nationals’ game against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park.
(Geoff Burke, Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)
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April 7, 2025: Citi Field
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April 20, 2025: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati
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Sept. 3, 2024: Fans bring their dogs during the Bark in the Park night prior to the game between the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Guardians at Kauffman Stadium.
(Denny Medley, Imagn Images)
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Aug. 28: Decoy, the dog of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, waits for instruction before delivering the first pitch before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Dodger Stadium.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)
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Aug. 28, 2024: A dog gets close to the camera during the Bark at the Park event before the Colorado Rockies’ game against the Miami Marlins at Coors Field.
(Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports)
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Aug. 28, 2024: Television actress Caitlin O’Connor holds her dog Bubbles on the field prior to the Pittsburgh Pirates playing the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park.
(Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports)
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Aug. 24, 2024: Oakland Athletics head groundskeeper Clay Wood (left) and manager Mark Kotsay (right) pet Reba, the Oakland Athletics’ clubhouse dog, in the dugout before the game between the Oakland Athletics and Milwaukee Brewers at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
(Robert Edwards, USA TODAY Sports)
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Aug. 12, 2024: Dogs walk on the warning track for Bark in the Park day before the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.
(Katie Stratman, USA TODAY Sports)
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June 2, 2024: Fans and their dogs walk the field during a pup parade during Pups in the Park day prior to the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
June 2, 2024: Fans and their dogs walk the field during a pup parade during Pups in the Park day prior to the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)
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May 9, 2024: A dog takes the ball from Milwaukee Brewers first base coach Quintin Berry following a first pitch prior to the game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Bark at the Park night at American Family Field.
(Jeff Hanisch, USA TODAY Sports)
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May 5, 2024: Oakland Athletics infielder Max Schuemann shares a moment with Reba, the Oakland Athletics’ clubhouse dog, before a game against the Miami Marlins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
(Robert Edwards, USA TODAY Sports)
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April 16, 2024: Chase Field, Arizona
(Norm Hall, Getty Images)
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March 31, 2024: Oakland Athletics head groundskeeper Clay Wood’s dog Reba plays with a baseball on the field before the game between the Oakland Athletics and Cleveland Guardians at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
(Robert Edwards, USA TODAY Sports)
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March 29, 2024: Oakland Athletics groundskeeper Clay Wood and his dog rake the infield before a game against the Cleveland Guardians at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
(D. Ross Cameron, USA TODAY Sports)
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March 29, 2024: A dog dressed in New York Mets apparel sits in front of Citi Field before the Opening Day game between the Mets and Milwaukee Brewers.
(Vincent Carchietta, USA TODAY Sports)
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Oct. 8, 2023: Camden Yards
(Tommy Gilligan, USA TODAY Sports)
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June 7, 2023: Great American Ball Park.
(Katie Stratman, USA TODAY Sports)
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June 7, 2023: Great American Ball Park.
(Katie Stratman, USA TODAY Sports)
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May 19, 2023: Citi Field (Mets)
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
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May 9, 2023: Great American Ball Park. 20230509_gma_gt1_0331.jpg
(Katie Stratman, USA TODAY Sports)
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April 11, 2023: Citi Field
(Elsa, Getty Images)
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Sept. 28, 2022: Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark (Oklahoma CIty Dodgers)
(Nathan J. Fish, The Oklahoman)
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Sept. 5, 2022: Dodger Stadium
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)
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Sept. 5, 2022: A dachshund gives a Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw doll a ride around the field during the Pups at the Park Parade at Dodger Stadium.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)
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Sept. 5, 2022: Dodger Stadium
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)
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Sept. 5, 2022: Dodger Stadium
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)
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Aug. 16, 2022: Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati Reds)
(Katie Stratman, USA TODAY Sports)
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Brooks, a 2-year-old Dalmatian owned by Sarah Paukert of Ames, enjoys the action during the Dog Days at Principal Park as the Iowa Cubs hosted Columbus in a minor league baseball game on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, in Des Moines.
(Bryon Houlgrave/The Register)
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June 7, 2022: Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brent Suter throws out a first pitch for his dog on Bark at the Park night prior to the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at American Family Field.
(Jeff Hanisch, USA TODAY Sports)
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June 4, 2022: Globe Life Field (Texas Rangers)
(Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports)
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June 4, 2022: Globe Life Field (Texas Rangers)
(Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports)
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May 9, 2022: Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati)
(David Kohl, USA TODAY Sports)
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April 19, 2022: Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City)
(Denny Medley, USA TODAY Sports)
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Sept. 28, 2021: Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City)
(Denny Medley, USA TODAY Sports)
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Sept. 3, 2020; Minute Maid Park (Astros)
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Aug. 10, 2020: Dodger Stadium
(Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images)
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Aug 7, 2020: Dodger Stadium
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)
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Aug. 2, 2020: Kauffman Stadium (Royals)
(Denny Medley, Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports)
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Sept. 10, 2019: Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox).
(Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
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Sept. 8, 2019: Marlins Park
(Sam Navarro, USA TODAY Sports)
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Aug. 13, 2019: Coors FIeld (Rockies)
(Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports)
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Aug. 13, 2019: Coors FIeld (Rockies)
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Aug. 13, 2019: Coors FIeld (Rockies)
(Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports)
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July 16, 2019: Brewers pitcher Jeremy Jeffress pets his dog.
(Benny Sieu, USA TODAY Sports)
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July 16, 2019: Josh Hader shows fans his dog at Miller Park.
(Benny Sieu,USA TODAY Sports)
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July 7, 2019: Oracle Park (Giants)
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July 7, 2019: Oracle Park (Giants)
(Sergio Estrada, USA TODAY Sports)
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June 21, 2019: Oakland Coliseum (Athletics)
(Darren Yamashita, USA TODAY Sports)
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June 21, 2019: Oakland Coliseum (Athletics)
(Darren Yamashita, USA TODAY Sports)
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June 17, 2019: Great American Ball Park (Reds).
(David Kohl, USA TODAY Sports)
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June 4, 2019: Petco Park (San Diego)
(Jake Roth, USA TODAY Sports)
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June 4, 2019: Petco Park (Padres)
(Jake Roth, USA TODAY Sports)
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May 29, 2019: Camden Yards (Orioles)
(Rob Carr, Getty Images)
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May 14, 2019: Great American Ball Park (Reds)
(David Kohl, USA TODAY Sports)
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May 14, 2019: Great American Ball Park (Reds).
(David Kohl, USA TODAY Sports)
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April 29, 2019: Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox)
(Nuccio DiNuzzo, Getty Images)
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March 6, 2019: Salt River Fields (Rockies spring training)
(Matt Kartozian, USA TODAY Sports)
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Feb. 21, 2019: Padres outfielder Hunter Renfroe with his dog on media day
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
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Sept 24, 2018: Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox)
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Sept. 16, 2018: Tropicana Field (Rays)
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Sept 12, 2018: Camden Yards (Orioles)
(Evan Habeeb, USA TODAY Sports)
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Sept. 12, 2018: Camden Yards (Orioles)
(Evan Habeeb, USA TODAY Sports)
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Sept. 2, 2018: Minute Maid Park (Astros)
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Aug. 22, 2018: Coors Field (Rockies)
(Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports)
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Aug. 22, 2018: Coors Field (Rockies)
(Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports)
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Aug. 22, 2018: Coors Field (Rockies)
(Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports)
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June 19, 2018: Petco Park (Padres)
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June 19, 2018: Petco Park (Padres)
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May 30, 2018: Kauffman Stadium (Royals)
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May 20, 2018: SunTrust Park (Atlanta)
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May 5, 2018: Citi Field (Mets)
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April 23, 2018: Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox)
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Sept. 6, 2017: Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox)
(Jim Young, USA TODAY Sports)
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June 29, 2017: Petco Park (Padres)
(Jake Roth, USA TODAY Sports)
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Aug. 20, 2016: Citizens Bank Park (Phillies)
(Bill Streicher, USA TODAY Sports)
Atlanta is 79-55 and leads the National League East. Milwaukee, at 83-51, has the best record in the league. The Brewers have the best record in baseball and are in position to get one of the two first-round byes in the playoffs. The Dodgers, 80-54, are in position to claim the other, but only by a game over the Braves after losing three straight in Atlanta.
At 37 years, 150 days old, Sale is one of six pitchers who have thrown a shutout with double-digit strikeouts and no walks at that age or older.
The other five are in the Hall of Fame: Cy Young (twice in 1905), Eddie Plank (1913), Steve Carlton (1982), Nolan Ryan (1989) and Randy Johnson (2001 and 2004).
Chris Sale stats vs. Dodgers
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Pitches: 109 (80 strikes)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chris Sale throws complete game shutout against Dodgers, hits 100 mph at 37 years old
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