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If You Wait Until October to Wake Up, You’ll Miss Cristopher Sanchez Making History
By Luke Arcaini
Published:
Wednesday afternoon wasn’t a surprising outcome at Petco Park. In fact, it was expected.
The breaking of all-time records isn’t expected on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. But utter dominance is now assumed when Cristopher Sanchez takes the hill for the Phillies.
A project back in the early 2020s has now etched his name into the history books. Sanchez broke the all-time Phillies record for consecutive scoreless innings by a pitcher, which was set by Grover Cleveland Alexander in 1911. It was a record of 41 innings that stood for 115 years.
Now, Sanchez’s name sits at the top; and he’s not done.
Not only did Sanchez take the record from Alexander, he continued his streak all the way through his seven-inning, six-hit shutout performance on a sunny day in San Diego. Sanchez hasn’t allowed a run since April 30th, the same night that the Sixers defeated the Celtics in Game 6. The streak sits at 44.2 innings, and he’ll have a chance to continue it in his next start, against the same Padres team, back at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday, June 3rd.
He’s broken the Phillies record. Now we’re two more “Sanchez-like” outings away from Major League Baseball history:
Three innings of shutout baseball on Wednesday will move Sanchez into 5th in MLB history, passing names like Cy Young, Zack Greinke, and Bob Gibson. Don’t blink, because all of a sudden, Sanchez could be challenging Orel Hershiser with 59 innings at the top of the ranks.
Sanchez’s next start will take place in June. It’ll be the start of a new month, and Sanchez will look to build upon the best month of his entire baseball career. He’s only the second pitcher in MLB history to not allow a run in an entire month (minimum 4 starts). Every start was incredible:
- May 5th: 8 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 10 K
- May 10th: 7 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
- May 16th: 9 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 13 K
- May 22nd: 8 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
- May 27th: 7 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 K
Sanchez in May: 39 IP, 25 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 45 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.72 WHIP
The lefty now leads all of Major League Baseball with a 1.47 ERA. He’s the only pitcher in the modern era with 40 strikeouts and no runs allowed in a calendar month. He’s the favorite to win Cy Young at this moment in time. He’s on pace to get the nod to start the All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park. But most importantly, he looks as confident as ever out on the mound.
The transformation of the lanky, 6 foot 6 left-hander is one of the most fascinating in Philly sports history. He was once an erratic arm that barely knew where the ball was going. Now, he’s cemented himself as one of the league’s best, and most dangerous.
It’s why I roll my eyes when I hear “wake me up in October.” If that was the case, you’ll miss history. You’ll miss the grind of baseball. You’ll miss years of hard work being on full display over the last two and a half seasons, but most notably, the last 44.2 innings that Cristopher Sanchez has toed the rubber.
“I never imagined something like this,” Sanchez said through club interpreter Diego D’Aniello. “I’m really happy and proud of myself.”
Luke Arcaini covers the Phillies for Crossing Broad. The wave is the worst thing is sports. Follow him on Twitter @ArcainiLuke