So here was the story heading into Wednesday night: Cristopher Sánchez, just eight days removed from an early hook after two innings thanks to a tight shoulder. And naturally, the big question was simple — how would he look?
And the answer? Like Cristopher Sánchez.
He wasn’t perfect. He wasn’t dazzling. But he was healthy, effective, and efficient — five innings, two runs, six strikeouts, 87 pitches, and not a hint of shoulder drama.
“He looked a little rusty,” manager Rob Thomson said. “It’s been a week since he pitched. His command was off a little bit, but the stuff was really good. The changeup looked normal. The slider looked normal. Velocity was good. I’m pleased.”
And the Phillies? They handled the Nationals the way they usually handle the Nationals — quickly, quietly, and convincingly. A 7-2 win at Citizens Bank Park that wrapped up in just two hours and 17 minutes, tied for their second-fastest game of the season.
It didn’t hurt that the Kyle Schwarber Show started right on cue. First inning. Fourth pitch he saw. Three-run Schwarbomb deep into the South Philly night. And just like that, the Phillies had a 3-0 lead and Schwarber had stretched his on-base streak to 36 games. That ties Alec Bohm’s streak from last season and puts him just two games shy of cracking the Top 10 in franchise history.
“Great game all around,” Schwarber said. “We put some runs on the board early, and Sanchie was able to settle in and get through five. I thought the bullpen was fantastic tonight, attacking the zone.”
Speaking of that bullpen — it quietly tossed a masterpiece. Jose Ruiz, Tanner Banks, and Carlos Hernández combined for four shutout innings. Not just scoreless. Not just hitless. They didn’t allow a single base runner. Twelve up, twelve down, six via strikeout.
There were other loud noises, too. Max Kepler crushed a solo shot in the sixth. J.T. Realmuto followed with one of his own in the eighth.
So the Phillies did what good teams are supposed to do. They won their fourth straight game — matching their longest streak of the season — and they did it behind a starter returning from injury, with the bullpen tossing a gem and the offense hitting just enough balls into orbit.
“Obviously there’s some ups and downs,” Schwarber said. “That’s the great thing about baseball. Every day’s an opportunity to learn. And we’ve got an experienced group. We’ve had different kinds of starts — hot, not so hot — but we’ve found our way into where we want to be. That mindset? That’s a good thing to have.”
It was the kind of night that felt familiar. Businesslike. Confident. And, of course, a little fast. Which is exactly how the Phillies like it these days.
Suarez Update
Thomson said Ranger Suarez looked great in his bullpen session on Wednesday, so he'll slide back into the starting rotation and will make his regular season debut on Sunday against the Diamondbacks. Obviously, this means the Phillies will need to make a corresponding roster move with Taijuan Walker likely heading back to the bullpen.
