Sanchez allowed two runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out eight batters over seven innings in a no-decision against Washington on Saturday.
Sanchez fell behind when he gave up a first-inning run, but he allowed only one more score the rest of the way. The left-hander fanned eight batters -- his highest mark over his past five outings -- and finished with his fourth quality start of the campaign. Sanchez has been a solid fifth starter for the Phillies this season, registering a 3.31 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 47:18 K:BB over 49 innings.
Sanchez (2-3) picked up the win Tuesday against Toronto, allowing one run on six hits in seven innings while striking out five and walking two.
Sanchez was coming off a pair of starts in which he allowed nine runs (five earned) in eight innings with more walks (five) than strikeouts (four), so there was some speculation that he could lose his rotation spot or fall into a piggyback situation with Spencer Turnbull where only the latter would have a chance at wins. Instead, Sanchez bounced back with an excellent outing, throwing more than 6.0 innings for the first time this year. Turnbull did follow Sanchez out of the pen, throwing the final two innings, but if Tuesday's outing is any indication, Sanchez will continue to be used as a traditional starter as long as he pitches well enough to remain in the role.
Phillies' Cristopher Sanchez: In line to start Tuesday
Rotowire
Sanchez will start Tuesday against the Blue Jays, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Sanchez was available in relief for Saturday's game, but because he wasn't needed, he's now set up to start Tuesday. Meanwhile, Spencer Turnbull will be available in relief Sunday in what could wind up being a piggyback situation with Taijuan Walker. The roles of all three pitchers seem somewhat in flux.
