Cristopher Sanchez hurls a complete game gem as the Phillies top the Red Sox 4-1 on July 23. See how Sanchize's 12 strikeouts led Philly to a dominant win.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Some nights, one player simply decides the game is his. Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park was one of those nights, and that player was Cristopher Sanchez. In a breathtaking display of efficiency and command, 'Sanchize' mowed down the Boston Red Sox, tossing a complete game masterpiece to lead the Phillies to a decisive 4-1 victory and improve their record to 58-43.
One man, nine innings. Cristopher Sanchez's final line: a complete game, 4 hits, 1 run, and 12 strikeouts.
From the first pitch, Sanchez was in complete control. He retired the first nine batters he faced and looked untouchable, mixing his pitches to keep the Red Sox hitters off balance all night. The lefty was a ground ball machine, inducing 13 of them while racking up a dozen strikeouts. It was the kind of performance that saves a bullpen and electrifies a ballpark. With the win, Sanchez improved his stellar record to 9-2 on the season, cementing his status as a critical piece of this starting rotation.
Before the offense truly woke up, Bryce Harper put his signature stamp on the game with pure hustle and baseball IQ. After reaching base in the first inning, Harper took off for home on a steal attempt that caught everyone by surprise. The play forced Red Sox catcher Carlos Narvaez into a catcher's interference call, resulting in a balk that brought Harper home for the game's first run. It was a chaotic, brilliant play that set an aggressive tone and, remarkably, marked the second straight game Narvaez's interference has directly benefited the Phillies.
With a 1-0 lead courtesy of Harper's legs, the bats provided the thunder in the second. Max Kepler started the party with a solo shot, and Kyle Schwarber followed suit with a towering two-run blast, his 33rd of the season. The homers extended the lead to 4-0, giving Sanchez all the run support he would need. Schwarber's continued power display keeps him among the league leaders and serves as a constant threat in the heart of the Phillies' lineup.
While Sanchez made sure the bullpen got a night off, the team did make a move to shore up its depth. Reliever Joe Ross was placed on the 15-day injured list with a back injury, retroactive to July 21. In his place, the Phillies recalled right-hander Alan Rangel from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The team will hope Ross has a speedy recovery while Rangel provides an extra arm in the interim.
With a dominant performance from their starter and timely power from the lineup, this was a complete win for the Phillies. As they push deeper into the second half, starts like the one Sanchez delivered tonight are invaluable. It's the kind of performance that can energize a team and build serious momentum. The Phils will look to carry this energy forward as they continue their homestand, proving once again that when their pitching and hitting click, they are one of the toughest outs in baseball.
