Cristopher Sanchez extended his franchise-record scoreless streak to 50 2/3 innings before finally allowing a run, and the Philadelphia Phillies hit a pair of late homers to squeak out a 3-2 win over the visiting San Diego Padres on Wednesday.
Sanchez (7-2) did not allow a run in May and found out earlier Wednesday that he was named the National League’s Pitcher of the Month. He was just as sharp in his first June outing, putting up zeroes until Jackson Merrill’s RBI single with two outs in the seventh.
In all, the Dominican left-hander yielded one and four hits in seven frames, walking one and striking out eight. His scoreless streak is the fifth-longest in major league history and the longest ever by a left-handed pitcher.
Sanchez did not allow a baserunner until the third and did not give up his first hit until the fourth. Walker Buehler, meanwhile, held Philadelphia scoreless until the fifth, when doubles by Bryson Stott and Adolis Garcia gave the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Sanchez struck out two more in the sixth and then got the first two outs of the seventh before Ty France doubled down the third base line. Merrill followed with a base hit to left, but Brandon Marsh’s throw was too late as Sanchez’s scoreless streak came to an end.
After a lengthy ovation from the Citizens Bank Park crowd, Sanchez retired Jase Bowen on a liner to left to end his night after only 84 pitches (64 strikes).
The game did not stay tied for long, however, as J.T. Realmuto homered off Jason Adam (2-1) to open the seventh. Three batters later, Kyle Schwarber added a solo shot of his own – his MLB-leading 23rd homer – to make it 3-1.
San Diego got one run back against Brad Keller in the eighth before Jhoan Duran slammed the door in the ninth for his 14th save.
Buehler, who spent a portion of last season with the Phillies, allowed one run and four hits in six innings. He struck out six and walked two.
The Padres have lost eight of their last nine games, including all five they’ve played against Philadelphia.
