Chris Sale vs. Cardinals: Stats, Highlights and Reaction

Chicago White Sox pitcher Chris Sale has been cooking on the mound dating back to the end of May, and he didn't disappoint Tuesday night against the St. Louis Cardinals. 

Over the course of eight innings in Chicago's 2-1 win that spanned 11 frames, Sale struck out 12 batters, walked one and allowed six hits in eight innings, marking just the second time a pitcher has accomplished that feat eight appearances in a row, according to ESPN Stats and Info: 

He tallied the record-tying strikeout by fanning Cardinals shortstop Jhonny Peralta in the sixth inning: 

Sale, who finished the evening 1-for-3 at the plate, recorded his first career hit before Jose Abreu singled to give the White Sox a 1-0 lead in the third inning: 

The southpaw was officially credited with a no-decision, which kept his June win-loss total steady at 2-2. Two of Sale's last three outings have resulted in no-decisions, and those results have alternated with losses over his past four games. 

With Tuesday's start in the books, Sale finished June with a grand total of 75 strikeouts and eight walks while surrendering just nine earned runs over six starts. Additionally, each of those starts lasted more than six innings. The last time Sale took the mound and didn't last at least six innings was a May 6 win against the Detroit Tigers.  

While Chicago continues to occupy the AL Central cellar, Sale's been one of the few bright spots for a floundering club.

"Chris has been really good many, many times," White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper said, according to the Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan. "The run he’s had with the strikeouts make it stick out. The impressive thing for me has been from Day 1: As soon as he stepped foot on (the Sox), he was good." 

With a fourth straight All-Star appearance in his sights, Sale continues to light up box scores with historically significant numbers.

Don't expect a deviation from that mean anytime soon.