Phillies’ Cristopher Sánchez Mows Through Pirates; Rookies Clutch in 8-0 Shutout

PHILADELPHIA— The Philadelphia Phillies tied their four-game slate against the Pirates on Tuesday, June 30, the buzzsaw better known as Cristopher Sánchez mowing through seven scoreless innings on the way to an 8-0 win.

Sánchez, who pitched a complete game shutout in Pittsburgh on May 16, allowed just three hits and two walks on the day, striking out nine batters and carrying a no-hitter into the fourth inning. The Phillies (48-38) held a 2-0 lead that point, rookies Gabriel Rincones Jr. and Justin Crawford helping to spark a two-out rally. Rincones hit an infield single to load the bases, then Crawford pushed a two-run single the opposite way, just past the outstretched glove of diving third baseman Jared Triolo.

The Pirates, for their part, did nothing during their three opportunities with a runner in scoring position. Sánchez froze Billy Cook at second after a one-out double in the fifth, then reliever Jonathan Bowlan worked a pair of strikeouts to preserve the shutout after two Pirates reached in the eighth. Philadelphia led 5-0 at that point, their bats getting to starting pitcher Bubba Chandler in his seventh and final inning of work.

Rincones started the rally with a walk, pinch-runner Derek Hill taking second on a Crawford bunt. Trea Turner doubled Hill home, then Kyle Schwarber singled to chase Chandler from the game. Pirates’ reliever Isaac Mattson allowed both inherited runners to cross, Bryce Harper singling and Brandon Marsh logging an RBI groundout. That allowed Sánchez to remain in the dugout with a five-run lead and a clear conscience.

Crawford singled home a run in the eighth, then Trea Turner hit a two-run homer on the following pitch.