Jun 28, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher S‡nchez (61) reacts after his complete game three hit shutout against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
On Pattison's countdown of the 15 best Phillies games of 2024 continues with a Cristopher Sanchez gem.
15) April 16, 2024 - Ranger Suarez throws a complete game shutout
14) September 14, 2024 - The Cal Stevenson game
13) May 18, 2024 - Kody Clemens ninth-inning home run
12) July 9, 2024 - Phillies clobber Dodgers, 10-1, in first game of series sweep
11) June 18, 2024 - Nick Castellanos walk-off double against Padres
10) June 24, 2024 - Phillies turn 1-3-5 triple play
9) April 30, 2024 - Castellanos and Rojas hit ninth-inning bombs against Angels
8) June 3, 2024 - Rhys Hoskins returns to Philly as a Brewer
7) October 6, 2024 - Nick Castellanos NLDS walk-off single
6) September 3, 2024 - Kyle Schwarber hits three home runs in wild comeback win over Toronto
5) April 2, 2024 - Bryce Harper hits three home runs in early-season win over Reds
4) September 1, 2024 - Nick Castellanos walk-off single in 11th inning against Braves
3) June 28, 2024 - Cristopher Sanchez throws a complete game shutout
Cristopher Sanchez exceeded expectations more than most any other Phillies player in 2024, developing into a true top-of-the-rotation starter. He posted a 3.32 ERA in 181.2 innings, earned an All-Star Game selection, and even finished tenth in NL Cy Young voting.
Sanchez pitched his best game of the year on June 28, shutting out the Marlins at Citizens Bank Park.
Early in the day, both Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber were placed on the IL. With Kody Clemens, Whit Merrifield, Garrett Stubbs, and Johan Rojas constituting 44% of the Phillies' lineup, the offense managed just two runs.
That turned out to be more than enough for Sanchez. His line that day: 9 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K, 101 pitches (73 strikes).
That performance, this reaction 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Pp6DvJJmdV
"I’m so proud of this kid, because he’s come so far," said manager Rob Thomson after the lefty's performance. "He’s a dominant pitcher in Major League Baseball."
Nothing like a Daycare splash pic.twitter.com/aoHNRhf4Ur
John Kruk with "cuidado cuidado cuidado," gotta love it.
After this game, Sanchez's 16th start, the then-27-year-old sported a 2.41 ERA. Like the rest of the team, he cooled down in the second half of the season. But if Sanchez can come close to replicating his breakout 2024 season in 2025, the Phillies' rotation will be absolutely lethal.
And as we saw in this game from late June, your lineup doesn't have to be perfect if the other team can't score.
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