Offense erupts early, provides easy night for Sale

Three weeks remain in the regular season, and by now, the innings have piled up and the pitches thrown begin to take a toll.

So, when the Red Sox erupted for eight runs in the first two innings Saturday night, it was good for them and also good for Chris Sale.

For one thing, it allowed Sale to attack hitters, armed with an early 8-0 lead. For another, the Sox could safely remove him after just six innings and 97 pitches, preserving him for bigger battles that have yet to be fought.

No stress, no mess.

“It’s nice,’’ said Sale after the Red Sox blanked the Tampa Bay Rays, 9-0. “Any time your offense goes out there and flat-out explodes – I mean, they went off tonight – that’s nice to see… Especially this time of year, this is when they start tacking on, so any added rest or little boost helps.’’

Sale had a rough start in his last trip to the mound, rapped for three homers by the New York Yankees and lifted in the fifth inning. But he said he didn’t make any specific adjustments coming out of his last outing.

“I don’t really know that I can pinpoint anything,’’ he said. “It’s just maintaining and staying on top of your focus and intensity, making sure you get your work in, stuff like that. These (games) are just as important as any other games we play the rest of the year, so staying sharp (is the goal).’’

Sale was plenty sharp Saturday night. The Rays only got two baserunners in scoring position over six innings and his command was on-point, with one walk and eight strikeouts.

At 195.2 innings pitched and as many as five starts remaining, Sale feels surprisingly fresh.

“I feel good,’’ he insisted. “I’ve got a lot of good people in my corner in terms of the training staff and the guys in the weight room. I think we’ve done well doing some things to back off and get on it when we need to.  Obviously, I’ve been bouncing off them and relying on those guys. It’s been working out well so far, so we’ll try to keep it rolling.’’

Armed with a 9-0 lead by the third, the Sox could comfortably pull Sale after six and let three different relievers get an inning each to reach the finish line. In September, saving bullets is a good thing.

“Obviously, you want to get out there for as many (innings) as you can,’’ said Sale. “But given the circumstances and the time of year, I think it’s nice. You go out there and save 20 extra pitches, especially at the end of the game, you’re looking ahead, too. That’s part of staying on top of things and doing what we can, when we can.

“In a close ballgame, I have no doubt I’m going back out there (for the seventh and maybe beyond). So it’s nice that your offense goes out there and allows you to do some things like that. I appreciate them going off tonight.’’

Sale, who makes his off-season home in Naples, Fla., has been a bit distracted by the incoming hurricane and has relocated his immediate family to Boston for the time being.

“I think everyone knows (the storm) is going right where you live,’’ said Sale. “You think about it, but at the same time, I have a job to do. When I walk through these doors, that’s all that matters to me. It’s tough, though.  Everybody in my family lives down there. Everyone’s safe, but it’s still scary.  You just hope for the best.’’