Sánchez closing in on Phils legend as scoreless streak hits 37 2/3 innings

PHILADELPHIA -- Phillies ace Cristopher Sánchez was thrilled when he met Elmo outside the home clubhouse last week. But now, Sánchez has shifted all of his attention to Grover.

Grover Alexander, that is.

Sánchez extended his scoreless streak to 37 2/3 innings with eight spotless frames in Friday night's 1-0 loss to the Guardians at Citizens Bank Park. That is now the second-longest scoreless streak by a Phillies pitcher since 1893 (when the mound moved to its current distance), trailing only Alexander's 41-inning streak in 1911.

Sánchez's total surpasses the previous second-longest mark belonging to Cliff Lee, who went 34 consecutive innings without allowing a run in 2011. Sánchez also leaped some other notable Phillies in the process: Larry Andersen (32 2/3 innings), Turk Farrell (32 2/3), Hall of Famer Robin Roberts (32), Ranger Suarez (32) and Ken Heintzelman (32).

So, could Alexander be next?

Sánchez will have his sights set on the Hall of Famer in his next outing, which is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday against the Padres in San Diego (though the Phillies have not officially set their rotation beyond this weekend).

“Extremely proud of myself and extremely happy, too,” Sánchez said via an interpreter when asked how he feels about climbing the franchise list. “Making history in this beautiful city, it's something really good.”

While the franchise mark is within reach next week, Sánchez still has a ways to go for the all-time record. That belongs to Dodgers legend Orel Hershiser, who went 59 straight innings without allowing a run in 1988.

Sánchez, though, is already making history.

He's now gone at least seven innings in each of his past four outings -- all of which have been scoreless. He's the first pitcher since Clayton Kershaw in 2015 to turn in four consecutive scoreless starts of at least seven innings apiece.

Beyond that, Sánchez has tallied 36 strikeouts over 32 innings in those past four outings. He's just the fourth pitcher since at least 1900 to tally at least 36 strikeouts and 32 scoreless innings over a span of 4 scoreless starts, joining Kershaw (2014 and '15), Ray Culp (1968) and Ed Walsh (1910).

“I've never felt like this,” Sánchez said. “I mean, the way the mechanics are feeling, and the way that my body's feeling, I think that's something I’ve never felt like before.”

It’s also entering uncharted territory for Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly, who spent 14 years as a big league player and another 23 years in the coaching ranks.

“I don't know if I've seen anything quite like it,” Mattingly said. “Pretty amazing every time out. He seemingly makes it look easy -- obviously, I know it's not.”

In his latest gem, Sánchez did not allow a Guardians baserunner to even reach second base. Fresh off last Saturday's complete-game shutout against the Pirates, he struck out six and walked two while allowing four hits on 96 pitches this time around.

But on this night, the Phillies were equally as unable to generate any offense against Cleveland starter Gavin Williams. The right-hander racked up 11 strikeouts while allowing just four hits over eight scoreless innings in an old-fashioned pitchers' duel.

“When you get a game like that, you feel like you're going to win,” Mattingly said. “But their guy was pretty good, too, obviously. It's one of those games that nobody really got anything going."

Sánchez’s bid for a second straight shutout came to an end when Mattingly turned a scoreless game over to Jhoan Duran to start the ninth inning. Sánchez threw a season-high 108 pitches his last time out -- and 103 in his outing before that one.

So, he wasn’t surprised when he was greeted with handshakes when he got back to the dugout after the eighth.

“I knew that I was well over 90 [pitches] at that point, and you know, last start well over 100,” Sánchez said. “So, you know, I had a feeling.”

Duran allowed a one-out homer to Kyle Manzardo that proved to be the difference. It was the first home run Duran has allowed this season.

“I feel really bad right now, because I want to do the best I can for him to win after a game like that -- and I did not do it,” Duran said. “… I know if he can throw again like that, and I’m the guy throwing the ninth … [I’ll get] the outs.”

The way Sánchez is pitching right now, Duran may not have to wait long for another chance.

“He’s amazing,” Duran said. “He’s the best pitcher right now.”