SAN FRANCISCO – Cristopher Sánchez deserved better.
He wasn’t his best in Tuesday night’s start against the Giants at Oracle Park, but he had allowed only a run through four innings as the Phillies were trying to win their first series here since 2013.
Sánchez allowed a leadoff single to Daniel Susac in the fifth. Jared Oliva hit a ball to Phillies shortstop Trea Turner that should have been a double play, but Turner lost the ball as he tried to exchange it from his glove to his throwing hand.
Both runners were safe.
But Rafael Marchán picked off Oliva at first base for the first out, and Sánchez got Willy Adames to pop out for the second out.
Sánchez was almost out of another jam, but Matt Chapman hit a line drive to left field. Otto Kemp is not a left fielder by trade, but the Phillies are playing him there because they believe he can hit and play decent enough defense. But Kemp hesitated for a moment before taking a step in, only to break back once he realized the ball was well struck.
Kemp made a desperate leap to catch the ball, but it sailed over his glove.
Susac scored to make it 2-0. Luis Arráez’s single to right-center field scored Chapman to make it 3-0.
Other misplays hurt Sánchez, but those were the costliest.
Sánchez left after five-plus innings. He allowed 11 hits, the second-most in his career. He allowed four runs (two earned runs) and struck out six.