Sale faced the 8-9-1 hitters in the 8th. The 2-3-4 hitters, heart of the order, were due up in the 9th.
I think it was a solid plan. Kimbrel just didn't have it.
Sale, like Kimbrel, is a great pitcher, but he's human too. In last year's ALDS he gave up 9 runs in 9.2 IP, including 4 long balls.