Cristopher Sánchez dominates Marlins, throws first career shutout

[Kevin Barral]

Cristopher Sánchez took his breakout season to a new level on Friday, limiting the Marlins to three singles while completing the game himself.

PHILADELPHIA, PA—On Thursday, the Miami Marlins did a lot of damage against the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen in a comeback win. On Friday, the Marlins weren't even able to get into their bullpen. Phillies starter Cristopher Sánchez tossed a complete game to defeat the Fish by a final score of 2-0. The Marlins are now 4-25 against left handed pitchers—the worst record in the majors.

Sánchez posted an incredible 78.6% first-pitch strike percentage and ended up generating 16 whiffs. He only allowed only three hits (all singles), no walks and struck out nine, his second-highest strikeout total this season. It also marks the second time in 2024 that Sánchez hasn't allowed a walk, the last time coming on May 18 against the Washington Nationals.

"Sinker was outstanding at 96 miles an hour," said Marlins manager Skip Schumaker following the game. "Changeup was really effective and then the slider was real. When you have three pitches working like that, it feels like he and [catcher Garrett] Stubbs were on the same page all night long. Really good defense behind him. Just couldn't get maybe four or five balls in the outfield. It was just a really strong outing by him."

Sánchez's sinker was averaging 95.3 mph and topped out at 96.9 mph; his average velocity on that pitch this year has been 94.4 mph. The Marlins were a bit too aggressive chasing his second pitches. Averaging 11 pitches per inning gave Sánchez the efficiency he needed to finish the game himself.

In two starts since signing a long-term contract extension, Sánchez has thrown 16 straight scoreless innings. That has lowered his ERA to 2.41, second-best among National League qualifiers only behind his Phillies teammate, Ranger Suárez.

After a solid start against a struggling Seattle Mariners offense, Kyle Tyler limited the Phillies to one run through 4 ⅔ innings pitched. Although he posted a 47.4% first-pitch strikeout percentage, he was able to bounce back into a couple favorable counts and generally did a good job limiting hard contact (only one hit with exit velo over 100 mph). Tyler induced four groundouts and was able to generate nine whiffs, with seven coming on his curveball. The only run he surrendered came on a Bryson Stott force out, which drove in the runner from third.

"I thought he did good," said Schumaker. "He kept us in the game...It's tough to win when you don't score, but he did a really good job changing eye levels. Two-seam was better. Thought he threw at the top of the zone a lot better tonight and the curveball was effective. You gave up one run against a really good offense. Can't really ask anything more than that."

A bullpen crop comprised of Declan Cronin, Calvin Faucher and JT Chargois only allowed three hits and one run, which came against Faucher in the bottom of the eighth inning on a Bryson Stott sac fly.

With the loss, the Marlins are now 29-53 on the season while the Phillies improve to 54-28. The Marlins will search for their 30th win of the season on Saturday night with Roddery Muñoz taking the mound. Aaron Nola will start for the Phillies. First pitch will be at 4:05 pm.

View full article