The streak is over.
After 50 2/3 innings, Phillies ace Cristopher Sanchez finally surrendered a run in Wednesday’s 3-2 win.
Sanchez, 8 1/3 innings away from Orel Hershiser’s MLB record of 59 scoreless frames set, gave up a two-out, seventh-inning single to the Padres’ Jackson Merrill, which brought home Ty France.
When the run crossed home, the Philly faithful gave their hurler a standing ovation.
Sanchez kept his composure and completed the inning, ending his night.
Sanchez’s scoreless streak began in the second inning of the April 30 matchup with the Giants, a span of five starts.
The crazy run is the longest ever by a left-handed pitcher and the fourth longest of all time, behind Hershiser (1988), Don Drysdale (58 innings, 1968), Walter Johnson (55 2/3 inning, 1913) and Jack Coombs (53 innings, 1910).
It beat out Hall of Famer Grover Alexander’s Phillies mark of 41 innings set in 1911.
“It was incredible,” Sánchez said after breaking Grove’s record. “It’s really special what we have here as a group, as an organization as a whole — the players, the staff, the medical staff. So it’s just really special to share things like this with this tremendous group that we have here.”
The streak has coincided with the Phillies’ resurgence from last place in the NL East. Since that April 30 start, the Phillies have gone 21-11 and sit in second place after Wednesday’s win.
They will look for the series sweep of San Diego on Thursday as they try to claw back into the playoff picture.
