Phillies news: Cristopher Sanchez ties Philly history with 11k game vs. Orioles

Philadelphia Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez put on a historic performance on Saturday night, helping the team end a four-game losing streak with a 5-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.

Sanchez recorded 11 strikeouts across six scoreless innings while allowing only two hits. Despite issuing a career-high five walks, including two occasions where he loaded the bases, the left-hander managed to escape every major threat. He retired Leody Taveras with the bases loaded in both the fourth and sixth innings, including a sixth-inning groundout to shortstop Trea Turner that ended the frame.

The 29-year-old’s masterful performance moved him into rare territory in Phillies history. Saturday was his fourth start of the season with at least six innings pitched, no earned runs surrendered and 10 strikeouts, tying the franchise record for the most such games in one season.

Sanchez also became just the fifth Philadelphia pitcher since at least 1900 to finish with at least 10 strikeouts and five walks in a scoreless appearance. The other pitchers to accomplish the feat were Tommy Greene during his May 23, 1991 no-hitter, Jose de Jesus on Aug. 31, 1991, Harvey Haddix on Aug. 4, 1957, and Earl Moore on Oct. 3, 1910.

His performance came after a difficult July, when he compiled a 6.65 ERA in four starts and finished with a 4.82 ERA over nine outings since his 50 2/3-inning scoreless streak ended on June 3.

The win improved Sanchez’s record to 14-4 with a 2.61 ERA through 23 starts. He entered the game leading Major League Baseball in wins, while his 5.5 bWAR ranked as the highest among pitchers in the league.

The Phillies offense scored first on Bryan De La Cruz’s RBI single in the fifth inning before adding four runs in the eighth. Alec Bohm, Brandon Marsh, and Justin Crawford drove in runs during the big inning to close out win win.