Cristopher Sánchez returned to the mound for the top of the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday night with 86 pitches under his belt. With going the distance in reach, he mowed down two Washington Nationals batters before an error at shortstop extended the game.
The misplay could’ve snowballed or put his big night in jeopardy. Sánchez didn’t break a sweat. He got CJ Abrams to fly out to left field to seal his 99-pitch complete game.
It was efficient. It was clean. It was the latest gem in what’s been a truly eye-opening season for the Phillies’ breakout pitcher.