Cristopher Sanchez has now gone to a place where no Phillies pitcher has visited since the dead ball era.
Yes, really.
The left-hander extended his scoreless streak to 44 2/3 innings with seven zeros during Wednesday’s 3-0 victory over the Padres.
In the middle of the effort, he broke the previous scoreless record (41 innings) held by Hall of Fame pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander, set in 1911 — when the National League comprised eight teams.
Sanchez went the entire month of May (five starts, 39 innings) without allowing a single run. He was last charged with runs on his ledger in the first inning of an April 30 start against the Giants.
Since then, his record is as clean as it could be.
“I just told them it was something special for me,” Sánchez told reporters after Wednesday’s win, which sealed a three-game sweep over San Diego. “First I thanked God and then I thanked all my teammates and everyone around me for their support. It’s really special to have their support, in the good times and through the rough times as well. That’s something I admire with this group.
“This is a game that it’s not only about me or about what I do on the mound, it’s about our group and I think it’s really something special and beautiful to feel the support of the team as a whole.”
Sanchez, an All-Star in 2024, finished second in the National League Cy Young race last year and is making the case early this year to win the award. His 1.62 ERA leads the NL, and he’s the only pitcher in the big leagues this year with a shutout.
“It’s a lot of fun right now,” catcher J.T. Realmuto said, according to MLB.com. “I mean, he’s just been so dominant. He makes my job easy. It’s kind of like playing a video game back there.
“I just press buttons and then he executes.”
Sanchez still has a ways to go for the overall MLB record of 59 innings held by Orel Hershiser.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: nypost.com
