Searle returns to Boston, and the Atlanta Warriors' win rate exceeded 50% for the first time

Chris Sale gave Red Sox fans mixed memories at Fenway Park on Friday night — the left-handed pitcher who won the 2018 World Series for Boston now wore a Warriors jersey and led the team to a 4-2 victory with seven games, eight strikeouts and one point conceded, a dominant performance that illustrates how bitter the Red Sox's decision to trade him to Atlanta last winter was.

"Stepping into this place is like stepping back in to your childhood home," Searle said of what it was like to return to Fenway, "but there are so many memories and friendships, but after the first throw, everything has to give way to the game mission." The seven-time All-Star overwhelmed his former club with a 96.8mph average four-seam fastball (up to 98.7mph) to help the Warriors (23-22) become only the fifth team in MLB history to break 50% after a seven-game losing streak to start the season.

The Red Sox traded Searle and $16 million in cash to the Warriors in December in exchange for tool man Vaughn Grissom. At the time, Boston management came close to declaring that Searle's peak was gone, but the lanky left-hand shooter responded forcefully as a National League Young Award winner — Gleason played only 31 games since joining the Red Sox. "Hats off to him," admitted Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman, "who is one of the top pitchers in the world." "

Searle was in a slump at the start of the season (6.63 in the first four games), but recovered his form by adjusting the angle of his shots, and his defense rate dropped to 1.72 in the last five games. "The starting form has been gradually improving in the last few games," Searle said, "and the adrenaline was naturally pumping on Friday night at Fenway tonight. "

In the second inning, Matt Olson and Sean Murphy hit back-to-back home runs to beat Red Sox starter Garrett Crochet to lay the foundation for Searle. "You can feel that he's hungry for this win," Murphy commented, "and pitching in Boston means a lot to him." "

Searle was named in the top six of the American League Young Awards seven times during his time with the Red Sox (2017-2023), but only made 151 innings due to an arm injury after 2019. Friday's performance was a reminder of its peak: the speedball averaged the highest speed since 2018, and the speedball made 11 swings in eight strikeouts and four stitches.

As he exited the game after seven innings, Searle unexpectedly found his two sons sitting near the rest area, who were watching the game with a neighbor without telling their father in advance. "It's a special moment," Serge said of the hug with the child, "forever unforgettable." The Warriors' pitcher group has topped the league with a 2.17 defense rate since May 4, and Searle's rebirth adds weight to the championship.

"That's what we know of Searle," Murphy said, "and he never panicked, he just needed to tweak the details." At this moment, the flashing "K" on the scoreboard at Fenway Park is still telling the legend of that miss.