The Cleveland Guardians extended their winning streak to seven games with a 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Friday night.
The game featured a historic pitchers' duel between Cleveland's Gavin Williams and Philadelphia's Cristopher Sanchez.
Historic Pitching Performance
According to OptaSTATS, Williams and Sanchez became the first MLB pitching duo since pitch-tracking began in 1988 to each throw over eight innings, allow zero runs, strike out six or more batters, and throw under 100 pitches in a single game.
Williams earned the win, throwing 99 pitches over eight scoreless innings. He allowed four hits, no walks, and struck out 11 batters.
The outing lowered his ERA to 3.25 with 84 strikeouts in 11 starts this season.
Sanchez matched Williams with eight shutout innings on 96 pitches, striking out six while allowing four hits and two walks.
Despite the loss, Sanchez extended his scoreless innings streak to 37 2/3 innings, the longest by a Phillies pitcher in over a century.
Former teammate Rhys Hoskins praised Sanchez's development. "He was just trying to throw strikes, really," Hoskins recalled.
"Now, this guy seemingly leads all of the big leagues in that."
Hoskins attributed Sanchez's success to his work ethic. "That work ethic will carry you a long way," he said.
Game-Winning Homer
The scoreless tie was broken in the top of the ninth inning.
Cleveland pinch-hitter Kyle Manzardo hit a first-pitch, 97-mph splitter from Phillies reliever Jhoan Duran for a solo home run.
Phillies manager Don Mattingly expressed disappointment. "You get a game like that, you feel like you're going to win," he said.
"But their guy was pretty good, too."
Mattingly defended his decision to pull Sanchez after eight innings, noting the pitcher had thrown 108 pitches in his previous outing.
"He did his job," Mattingly stated.
Mattingly also credited Williams' aggressive approach. "He attacked us.
He forced us to swing. His breaking ball was very good."
Sanchez expressed pride in his performance. "I'm proud of myself for making history in this beautiful city," he said.
Duran voiced disappointment for failing to preserve the shutout. "I feel really bad right now.
I want to do the best I can for him to win and I didn't do it," he said.
The series continues with Philadelphia's Zack Wheeler facing Cleveland's Slade Cecconi.
