Cristopher Sánchez breaks 115-year-old Phillies record with scoreless streak
· Yahoo Sports
Cristopher Sánchez has been arguably the best pitcher in baseball this year, and now he owns a Philadelphia Phillies record that stood for 115 years.
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Sánchez tossed his 42nd consecutive shutout inning Wednesday, May 27 at San Diego, breaking Grover Cleveland Alexander's mark that had stood since 1911. He eclipsed Alexander's record with his fourth shutout inning against the Padres at Petco Park.
Given the Phillies' tradition-rich history - they date to 1883 - and the Hall of Famers who have graced their mound, it is no small feat. Yet Sanchez has been nearly untouchable: In the four starts since last giving up a run to the San Francisco Giants on April 30, he struck out 36 and walked three, and posted a 0.66 WHIP.
Sánchez , 29, kept it up against San Diego, yielding five hits but no runs in his first five innings and striking out seven in the scoreless game. His season ERA is down to 1.51.
At 43 scoreless innings, he still has a ways to go to break the all-time record: Los Angeles Dodger right-hander Orel Hershiser's 59-inning streak in the 1988 season.
Sánchez has tossed one shutout in his streak, a stark difference from Alexander's streak in 1911 - he tossed four consecutive shutouts. In the century-plus since, lefty Cliff Lee has come closest to Alexander's club mark, firing 34 consecutive scoreless innings in 2011.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cristopher Sanchez scoreless streak breaks 115-year Phillies record