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Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sanchez has made history by setting a new franchise record for scoreless innings. On Wednesday (May 27), Sanchez extended his streak to 44 2/3 innings during a 3-0 victory over the San Diego Padres at Petco Park, surpassing the previous record of 41 innings set by Hall of Famer Grover Cleveland Alexander in 1911.
Sanchez's performance was marked by seven scoreless innings, allowing six hits and striking out nine batters. The streak began on April 30 against the San Francisco Giants and has continued through the month of May. The Phillies celebrated Sanchez's achievement in the visiting clubhouse after the game. Sanchez expressed his gratitude, saying, "It's really special to share things like this with this tremendous group that we have here."
The game was not without its tense moments, as Padres' players Gavin Sheets and Manny Machado came close to breaking the streak with deep fly balls. However, Sanchez and his teammates, including center fielder Justin Crawford, who made a crucial catch, managed to keep the Padres scoreless.
Sanchez's streak is now the seventh longest in a single season during the Live Ball Era, with the all-time record held by Dodgers legend Orel Hershiser at 59 innings. The Phillies' win improved their record to 29-27 for the season.
Sanchez's next start is expected to be against the Padres again in Philadelphia. As he continues his impressive run, Sanchez remains humble, attributing his success to the support of his team. "This is a game that's not only about me or what I do on the mound. It's about our group," he said.