Another loss for Sale as Marlins rally past White Sox 5-4

MIAMI (AP) -- Chris Sale took a line drive off the foot, took the blame for a defensive lapse and took another defeat.

The Chicago White Sox ace gave up five runs in 6 2/3 innings and remained winless since July 2 as they lost Sunday to the Miami Marlins 5-4.

Left fielder Christian Yelich threw out pinch-runner Carlos Sanchez trying to score from second base on a two-out single in the ninth inning. Fernando Rodney got his third save for Miami despite allowing three hits in the ninth, including a solo homer by Tim Anderson.

Chris Sale (14-6) failed to protect an early lead and fell to 0-4 in his past six starts. He hasn't won since his suspension for cutting up the team's throwback jerseys July 23, but his ERA over the past five starts is a solid 3.03.

"I'm not doing too much to help us win," Sale said. "It's frustrating. It would be frustrating for anybody. I don't know what my lines are or my stats are, but I just know I'm not winning games."

Miami trailed 2-0 before scoring three times in the fifth, thanks to four consecutive singles and an RBI bunt by Ichiro Suzuki that caught the White Sox napping.

The bunt came with runners at first and second and nobody out, and catcher Omar Narvaez hustled toward the mound to field the ball and throw Suzuki out. But that left the plate uncovered, and Robert Andino -- who had been at second base -- kept running and scored without a throw.

Sale said he was guilty of a brain cramp.

"I've got to be at home plate for that," he said.

Also costly was a two-run single by pitcher Tom Koehler off Sale's right foot. The hit raised Koehler's average to .103.

The White Sox nearly overcame a 5-3 deficit in the ninth. After Anderson homered, they had runners at first and second with two out, and Tyler Saladino singled to left. Yelich charged to field the ball on one hop and threw on the fly to catcher Jeff Mathis, who blocked the plate and tagged Sanchez for the game-ending out.

Chicago manager Robin Ventura said Sanchez was right to be aggressive.

"You have to make them make a good play, and they did," Ventura said. "It was a great throw."

The Marlins' victory averted a series sweep and provided a morale boost after they put slugger Giancarlo Stanton and left-hander Adam Conley on the disabled list before the game. Stanton is expected to be sidelined at least six weeks with a strained groin.

Koehler allowed three runs in six innings. Mike Dunn (3-1) pitched a perfect seventh.

Chicago's Adam Eaton homered on the game's first pitch. Jose Abreu hit an RBI single in the first inning and a game-tying double that caromed off the third-base bag in the sixth.

The Sox fell to 20-23 in one-run games. They've played the most in the majors.

GLOVE GEMS

2B Saladino retreated into short center field to make running catches that robbed Martin Prado and Adeiny Hechavarria of hits. The latter grab came with two runners aboard to end the second inning.

UP NEXT

White Sox: LHP Jose Quintana (9-8, 2.85) is scheduled to start Tuesday when Chicago opens a three-game series at Cleveland. The Indians have won six in a row from the White Sox.