Sánchez breaks Phillies’ 115-year record with scoreless innings streak
Cristopher Sánchez’s performance against the San Diego Padres lowers his season ERA to 1.47 and places him among the elite in MLB history.
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sánchez has broken the franchise’s 115-year-old record for consecutive scoreless innings, surpassing the previous mark of 41 innings set by Hall of Famer Grover Cleveland Alexander in 1911. Sánchez extended his streak to 44 ⅔ innings after completing four innings without allowing a run against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Wednesday. He ultimately finished the start with seven scoreless innings, despite facing early pressure, including a ball hit to the wall by Manny Machado to begin the fourth inning.
The achievement marks a significant milestone in the history of the Philadelphia franchise. Sánchez did not allow a run in any of his five starts during May, throwing at least seven innings in each appearance. This consistency has lowered his season ERA to 1.47 through 12 starts and 79 ⅓ innings. His last allowed run occurred in the first inning on April 30, when Casey Schmitt of the San Francisco Giants hit an RBI single.
Sánchez’s performance places him in rare company within Major League Baseball. Excluding games where he served as an opener, he is one of only two pitchers in MLB history, alongside Orel Hershiser in September 1988, to record five scoreless starts in a single calendar month. Among left-handed pitchers, only Carl Hubbell holds a longer scoreless streak than Sánchez.
The 29-year-old left-hander continues to demonstrate high-level performance after being acquired by the Phillies as a minor leaguer in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays on November 20, 2019. Sánchez made his MLB debut in June 2021 and signed a new six-year, $107 million contract in March, securing his status as a key component of the team’s roster. Last season, he was the National League Cy Young runner-up, leading all pitchers with 8.0 WAR according to Baseball Reference.
Sánchez is lined up to face the Padres again in his next start at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. The upcoming matchup comes as San Diego enters the contest ranked 24th in runs per game, presenting a continued test for the pitcher who has maintained such a dominant stretch of play.
