Cristopher Sanchez pitches a complete game gem (12K) as the Phillies beat the Red Sox 4-1 on July 23. See how Sanchez and Kyle Schwarber led the Phils to victory.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
In a performance that will be talked about for weeks, Cristopher Sanchez put the Philadelphia Phillies on his back Wednesday night, delivering an absolutely masterful complete-game victory over the Boston Red Sox. Before a roaring crowd at Citizens Bank Park, Sanchez was untouchable, leading the Phils to a 4-1 win that felt more dominant than the score suggests and tightening their grip on the NL East.
He was in total command tonight. That’s as good as we’ve seen him.
From the first pitch, it was clear this was Cristopher Sanchez's night. The lefty was simply dealing, retiring the first nine batters he faced and carving through the Red Sox lineup with surgical precision. He finished with a season-high 12 strikeouts, allowing just four hits and a single walk over 106 efficient pitches. The only blemish was a solo shot by Rob Refsnyder, a minor blip in an otherwise flawless nine-inning effort. It was Sanchez's third career complete game, dropping his ERA to a sparkling 2.87 and improving his record to 9-2. Manager Rob Thomson summed it up perfectly postgame: 'He was in total command.' It was the kind of ace-like performance that can define a homestand.
While Sanchez owned the mound, the offense provided just enough thunder to secure the win. The power came early, with Max Kepler and Kyle Schwarber launching solo home runs in the second inning. For Schwarber, it was his team-leading 33rd of the year, pushing his RBI total to 75 as he continues a torrid pace. But perhaps the most 'Phillies' run of the night came in the first inning. Bryce Harper manufactured a run with pure hustle and baseball IQ, scoring from third on a bizarre catcher interference that was followed by a balk. When asked about the aggressive baserunning, Harper was blunt: 'I saw the opportunity and just went for it. Sometimes you have to force the issue and make things happen.' It's that mentality that has this team firing on all cylinders.
The win pushes the Phillies to a comfortable 58-43 record, maintaining their lead in the National League East. As the trade deadline approaches, the rumor mill remains surprisingly quiet around Philadelphia. No new transactions were announced today, with the recent minor-league signing of David Robertson being the last significant move. With performances like Sanchez's, the starting rotation looks formidable, perhaps lessening the urgency for a major splash. The farm system also remains steady, with no major call-ups on the immediate horizon. For now, the focus is on the players in the clubhouse, who are clearly getting the job done.
This wasn't just another regular-season win; it was a statement. Led by a career performance from their starter and fueled by timely power and aggressive play, the Phillies showed why they're the team to beat in the division. As Bryce Harper posted after the game, the goal is to 'keep it rolling.' With a chance to sweep the Red Sox tomorrow, this team has all the momentum it needs to do just that as they continue their push toward October.
