In a game that began like a track meet and ended like a chess match, Cristopher Sánchez turned in a performance worthy of a Sharpie in the Phillies' record book — or at least a spot in the “Did You Know?” section of your next trivia night.
The left-hander fanned a career-high 12 batters over seven dazzling innings Thursday afternoon, relying almost exclusively on a Bugs Bunny changeup that looked like it dropped off a cliff somewhere around South Street. He allowed just four hits and two earned runs, issuing a single walk in a 6-4 win that salvaged a series split with the visiting Giants.
How dominant was he? Of his 12 strikeouts, 11 came via the changeup. That’s the most changeup Ks by a Phillies pitcher in the pitch-tracking era — which, if you’re wondering, goes back to the days when Shane Victorino was still patrolling center field.
Sánchez became the first Phillies pitcher to strike out 12 while walking one or fewer since Aaron Nola did it in 2021 — and only the fourth Phillies lefty to do it this century (Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee, and Ranger Suárez the others).
One Wild First, Then the Bats Vanished
Philadelphia’s offense looked like it was on a 10-run mission in the bottom of the first — five runs on five hits off Jordan Hicks before most fans had even found their seats.
Bryson Stott and Trea Turner opened with singles. Bryce Harper walked. Kyle Schwarber singled in two. Nick Castellanos followed with another RBI knock. A wild pitch scored the fourth run. And when Alec Bohm’s deep fly to center clanked off Luis Matos’ glove near the fence, Castellanos came home on a triple that really shouldn’t have been.
That made it 5-1 after the first inning. And then?
One hit the rest of the way. Yes, really. One.
But the early damage was just enough.
Hicks, to his credit, stabilized. He went seven full, yielding six hits and five runs while walking four and striking out five. Not exactly what the Giants had in mind, but also not as ugly as it could’ve been after that first inning mess.
Chapman Heating Up, Giants Swinging Through
Matt Chapman continued his recent heater, collecting a first-inning RBI and launching a two-run homer in the sixth to slice the Phillies’ lead to 5-3. It was his sixth hit in three days and made things briefly interesting — until Sánchez responded by striking out the final two hitters of the inning with authority.
Tyler Fitzgerald homered in the ninth off José Alvarado to cut it to 6-4, but that was all for the Giants, who struck out 14 times on the day and dropped the finale after winning five of their previous seven.
Kerkering, Alvarado Slam the Door (Sort Of)
Orion Kerkering twirled a spotless eighth, striking out a pair with the confidence of a guy trying to earn high-leverage innings down the stretch. Alvarado gave up the homer but secured his fourth save, pumping 99-mph heat to close it out.
Odds & Ends:
Nick Castellanos exited after six innings with left hip flexor tightness. Rob Thomson says it’s minor: “He should be good to go tomorrow.” ... Brandon Marsh was unavailable with a sore right knee after a rough slide in Wednesday’s loss.
Up Next:
The Marlins swim into town for the weekend. Zack Wheeler (1-1, 4.07 ERA) faces Sandy Alcantara (2-0, 4.70 ERA) Friday night under the lights at Citizens Bank Park.
