Phillies Ride Sánchez’s Career-High 12 K’s, First-Inning Surge to Series-Saving Win Over Giants

The Phillies came out swinging in Thursday’s series finale against the Giants, jumping on starter Jordan Hicks early and riding a dominant outing from Cristopher Sánchez to secure a 6–4 win at Citizens Bank Park. The victory earned Philadelphia a series split and pushed their record to 11–8, while maintaining their unbeaten streak in home series since a sweep by the Yankees last July.

Sánchez allowed a run in the first but quickly settled in behind early run support. The Phillies’ first five batters reached base, including singles from Bryson Stott, Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and Nick Castellanos, while Bryce Harper worked a walk. Alec Bohm capped the inning with a two-out triple that Luis Matos nearly caught at the center-field warning track, giving Philly a 5–1 lead.

After the explosive start, both lineups cooled off. Hicks found his rhythm and Sánchez took full control, striking out 12 — a new career high — over seven innings while allowing just four hits, three runs (two earned), and one walk. His changeup baffled Giants hitters, generating 22 whiffs on 29 swings and accounting for more than half of his 97 total pitches.

San Francisco chipped away in the sixth when Matt Chapman launched a hanging slider for a two-run homer, following Turner’s second throwing error of the game. Sánchez recovered by working through the seventh unscathed, even after plunking Mike Yastrzemski to lead off the inning.

The Phillies tacked on a cushion run in the eighth with a sac fly from Edmundo Sosa that scored Harper. Orion Kerkering tossed a clean eighth, and although José Alvarado gave up a solo homer to Tyler Fitzgerald in the ninth, he closed out the win.

Injury Notes:
Nick Castellanos exited after six innings with left hip flexor tightness, while Brandon Marsh sat out after tweaking his right knee in Wednesday’s loss. Manager Rob Thomson said Marsh “twisted it a little” and remains day-to-day pending further evaluation.

Ranger Suárez Update:
Following a 54-pitch rehab outing in Clearwater on Wednesday, Suárez is scheduled to rejoin the team Friday for a bullpen session and medical check. If all goes well, he’s expected to pitch Tuesday in Triple-A Lehigh Valley and gradually increase his pitch count in the coming starts.

Up Next:
Zack Wheeler (1–1, 4.07 ERA) will take the mound Friday night to open a three-game set against the Marlins, facing off with Sandy Alcantara (2–0, 4.70 ERA).

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