'Korea's 8K humiliation was inevitable' WBC pitcher, 44⅔ innings scoreless in MLB! New 115-year history for the franchise

*This content was translated by AI.

Christopher Sanchez (30, Philadelphia Phillies), who humiliated Korea in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), has written a new chapter in his franchise's history.

On the 28th (Korea time), Sanchez started against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego, California, USA, in the 2026 MLB regular season road game, pitching seven innings with six hits allowed, no walks, nine strikeouts, and no runs allowed, leading Philadelphia to a 3-0 victory.

With this win, Sanchez improved his record to 6 wins (2 losses) and lowered his ERA from 1.62 to 1.47. Over 12 games, he recorded 79⅓ innings with 95 strikeouts, leading the National League Cy Young Award race.

Sanchez had not allowed a run since the second inning of his game against the San Francisco Giants on the 1st. His 44⅔ consecutive scoreless innings through the seventh inning of this game set the record for the most consecutive scoreless innings since the mound distance was changed to its current position in 1893. The 44⅔ scoreless innings included a complete-game victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates on the 17th, where he recorded 13 strikeouts over nine innings.

This was also a new record for the Philadelphia franchise, achieved for the first time in 115 years. The previous record was held by Grover Alexander, a Philadelphia legend and MLB Hall of Fame pitcher, who recorded 41 consecutive scoreless innings during his rookie season in 1911.

In this game, Sanchez dominated San Diego's powerful lineup with a total of 100 pitches, including 42 changeups, 42 sinkers, and 16 sliders. His high-velocity sinker averaging 95.6 mph generated four swings and misses, while his changeup induced 12 swings and misses.

There were moments of danger in the record-breaking performance. In the third inning, Gavin Sheets' hit was turned into a fly ball by excellent outfield defense from Philadelphia. In the bottom of the fourth, Manny Machado's hit was also turned into a fly ball by the same defense. In the bottom of the sixth with one out, Machado's hit aimed at the end of the center field wall was caught by Justin Crawford with an excellent defensive play that prevented it from hitting the wall.

Philadelphia's position players tied the game with three runs, including Kyle Schwarber's RBI single to right field with one out in the top of the sixth inning with runners on first and second, and Trey Turner's solo home run to left field in the top of the ninth inning, securing the win for Sanchez.

After the game, Sanchez said, "It was truly amazing. Every member of our team is truly special. I am glad to share this joy with wonderful teammates, staff, and medical personnel."

The 0-10 cold game humiliation of Korea in the 2026 WBC seemed inevitable. Sanchez, originally from the Dominican Republic, started against Korea in the second round of the WBC main tournament in March, pitching five innings with two hits allowed, one walk, eight strikeouts, and no runs allowed, earning the win.

At that time, Korea's batting lineup collapsed helplessly with 18 swings and misses against Sanchez's overwhelming pitching. It left a sense of despair, questioning whether the gap between Korean and world baseball was this wide, but Sanchez was simply on a different level.

Having rewritten franchise history, Sanchez now challenges the MLB record for the longest consecutive scoreless innings. The all-time record is 59 consecutive scoreless innings by Orel Hershiser in 1988; Sanchez's current record ranks seventh overall in this category.

Although there is still a long way to go, MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, highlighted the possibility by introducing one record. MLB.com stated, "Sanchez has already equaled Hershiser in one aspect. After finishing his May starts, Sanchez recorded 39 innings over five games with three walks, 45 strikeouts, and no runs allowed."

It further noted, "Only Sanchez and Hershiser have recorded scoreless innings while making at least four starts over a full month in the big leagues. Hershiser pitched 55 innings in September 1988, more than Sanchez, but recorded fewer strikeouts (34) and more walks (9)."

MLB Longest Consecutive Scoreless Innings Ranking

1. 1988 Orel Hershiser 59 innings

2. 1968 Don Drysdale 58 innings

3. 1968 Bob Gibson 47 innings

4. 2015 Zack Greinke 45⅔ innings

5. 1933 Carl Hubbell 45⅓ innings

6. 1950 Sal Maglie 45 innings

7. 2026 Christopher Sanchez 44⅔ innings

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*This content was translated by AI.