Buoyed by another stellar outing by their ace and hopeful All Star Game starter, Cristopher Sanchez, the Philadelphia Phillies (48-38) blanked the Pittsburgh Pirates (43-43) by a score of 8-0 to even up the four-game series at the halfway point.Sanchez battled a blister on his throwing hand and still managed a no hitter into the fourth inning, going seven full allowing just three hits, two walks and striking out nine.
Sanchez lowered his ERA to an even 2.00 and became the major’s first 10-game winner of 2026.
The effort was necessary as the Phillies nursed a 2-0 lead most of the game before turning it into a laugher in the third act.
Justin Crawford started the scoring with a two-RBI single in the second inning and drove in another run with a single in the eighth for the first three-RBI game of his career.
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Trea Turner also drove in three with an RBI double in the seventh and a two-run home run in the eighth, his ninth of the year.
Bryce Harper and Brandon Marsh accounted for the other two runs in the seventh with an RBI single and fielder’s choice respectively.
Jonathan Bowlan and recently recalled Lou Trivino preserved Sanchez’s shutout with a scoreless inning each in relief.
Game three of the four game set is tomorrow with Zack Wheeler slated to battle reigning NL Cy Young winner, Paul Skenes.
