The have been playing baseball for more than a century, and no pitcher in their history has had a longer scoreless streak than left-hander . Sánchez broke the franchise’s 115-year-old record when he completed the fourth inning against the at Petco Park on Wednesday (). His streak is up to 44 ⅔ innings.
“It’s something special. Something really important,” Sánchez about the streak after the game. “I never imagined something like this, so I’m really happy and proud of myself.”
The franchise record was previously held by Hall of Famer Grover Cleveland Alexander, who went 41 innings without allowing a run in 1911. Here is the record-making out:
Cristopher Sánchez extends his scoreless streak to 41.2 innings, passing Grover Cleveland Alexander’s 41 IP (1911) for a new record!
It wasn’t always smooth — hit a ball to the wall to start the fourth inning — but Sánchez finished Wednesday’s start with seven scoreless innings. He last allowed a run in the first inning on April 30, when of the blooped an RBI single to left field. Sánchez did not allow a run in five May starts. He went at least seven innings in all five.
Here are the longest scoreless streaks in baseball history:
Excluding openers, Hershiser and Sánchez are the only pitchers ever to make five starts in a calendar month and not allow a run. Hershiser did it in September 1988. Only Hubbell’s streak is longer among left-handers than Sánchez’s. Sánchez currently lines up to face these same Padres in his next start, albeit at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
Sánchez, 29, was the NL Cy Young runner-up behind last season, when he threw 202 innings with a 2.50 ERA and led all pitchers with 8.0 WAR, per Baseball Reference’s calculations. Wednesday’s start gives Sánchez a 1.47 ERA through 12 starts and an MLB-leading 79 ⅓ innings this season.
The Phillies acquired Sánchez as a minor leaguer in a 1-for-1 trade with the on Nov. 20, 2019. Infielder went to the Rays in the deal. Sánchez made his MLB debut in June 2021.
Philadelphia signed Sánchez to a in March, ensuring he will remain one of the biggest bargains in baseball.
Wednesday’s win improved the Phillies to 29-27. They are 20-8 since replacing manager Rob Thomson with interim Don Mattingly.
