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One Week Ago, Cristopher Sanchez Pitches Sunday’s 9th Inning
By Luke Arcaini
Published:
If Sunday night’s series finale against the Detroit Tigers happens one week ago, Cristopher Sanchez is out on the mound for the Phillies in the 9th inning.
Sanchez, who dominated once again, tossed eight shutout innings, leading the Phillies to a series win and keeping their undefeated record on Sunday Night Baseball this season. Sanchez ran into a little bit of trouble in the 7th, some of that trouble coming from a few questionable calls from home plate umpire Nick Mahrley. But Sanchez got through the 8th with 84 pitches and his ERA is down to 2.40 on the year.
After that, you knew he was done.
There was a roar throughout Citizens Bank Park when Jhoan Duran got up and started throwing. Phillies fans haven’t been this excited for a new acquisition in a few years. The Phillies have their closer, and he would shut the door on Sunday for the second time in the series.
If Sunday’s game was played one week ago, the 9th inning is Sanchez’s, according to the manager himself.
“Yeah, probably” said Rob Thomson, who praised the big night from Cristopher Sanchez. “That’s why we got (Jhoan) Duran.”
Duran is as intimidating as it gets once he steps on the mound. The 6’5 righty hit 102.7 on the third pitch to Riley Greene with two outs, which was the fastest pitch in the history of Citizens Bank Park. Then, he beat his own record from thirty seconds prior, firing 103.3 mph. It doesn’t feel real until you see it:
“Well, it’s pretty good. I don’t know if I’ve ever witnessed 103. He was really strong tonight,” Thomson said.
Duran brings life back to this Phillies bullpen. Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering can get used to 7th and 8th innings. They’ll be the setup men for the rest of the year. Tanner Banks can be used in lefty/lefty situations, and still throw some bigger innings. David Robertson, although he hung a slider in AAA on Sunday, touched 94. The Phillies are encouraged by the velocity, although it seems that he won’t be ready on Tuesday, the first day that he’s eligible to come to the majors.
Duran takes stress off of everybody. The players are excited to see him pitch every night, and the fans are more excited than them. There’s a buzz through Citizens Bank Park that the Phillies needed. All it took was an elite closer with an electric entrance to pump 103.3.
Luke Arcaini writes about the Phillies for Crossing Broad, covers the Phillies for FOX Sports The Gambler, and co-hosts "Phillies Digest" on YouTube. The wave is the worst thing in all of sports. Contact: lukearcaini8@gmail.com