With the Philadelphia Phillies looking to make a playoff push, the team would continue its current winning ways with a 5-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, led by another productive outing from its ace pitcher. As the Phillies have been led by pitcher Cristopher Sanchez all season, he recorded another outstanding effort, giving credit to manager Don Mattingly.
Sanchez would have a longer outing than usual, throwing 107 pitches in the contest, one shy of his season-high 108 in May 16’s win against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Letting go of two runs, Sanchez would strike out 10 batters, allowing a walk and four hits, while getting the win as he expressed how “great” he felt in the game.
“I don’t like leaving guys on bases, so that’s one of the main reasons I felt great today. Even though I had 100 pitches or close to that, I felt great today. And, obviously, a big thank you to the manager for trusting me with that. And I told him that after the game,” Sanchez said, via MLB.com.
A pivotal moment for Sanchez was getting out of a precarious situation in the sixth inning with a runner on third and no outs, but the 29-year-0ld would strike out the next three batters, including star Vladimir Guerrero Jr., in the last at-bat.
“Yeah, of course,” Sanchez said when asked if he was more hyped to strike out Guerrero. “It was more about having a runner on third, nobody out, and then striking out the side, that was it.”
Phillies’ Cristopher Sanchez on the game plan
Sanchez would speak on the game plan throughout his start for the Phillies against the Blue Jays, speaking about the variety of pitches thrown, crediting catcher J.T. Realmuto and pitching coach Caleb Cotham for the effort.
“I try to play with them on what pitches they’re looking for, and I try to play around with pitches that we use and locations that we use, so change their sides a little bit during the at-bats,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez’s impeccable season continues as his next start is on Sunday vs. the Milwaukee Brewers.
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