Phillies win weekend series vs Arizona, sign Sanchez to extension, put Turnbull back in rotation

The Phillies had a pretty good weekend, taking two of three from the Arizona Diamondbacks while outscoring the 2023 NL champs 20-7.

One Phillie in particular had an incredible weekend. Cristopher Sanchez signed a contract extension on Saturday, locking him into the Phillies rotation through at least 2028 (with club options for 2029 and 2030). And on Sunday, the 27-year-old lefty hurled seven shutout innings while allowing three hits and walking none. Sanchez threw just 80 pitches in a 4-1 Phils victory.

“I didn’t see him getting to this point, so I don’t know where it’s going to end up,” said Phillies manager Rob Thomson when asked about Sanchez’s ceiling as a major leaguer. “But if you grade his stuff out, it’s as good as anybody we’ve got as far as fastball velocity, fastball command. The changeup is the best on the team.”

“I’m so happy to be here,” said Sanchez, sporting an I love this place t-shirt at his press conference. “I feel great about this contract and what the future is going to be about.”

Sanchez took a huge leap forward in 2023, improving his Earned Run Average to 3.44 after posting a 5.63 ERA in 2022. In 2024, he somehow reached yet another level, sporting a 2.67 ERA through his first 15 starts. Sanchez has allowed just one home run in 84.1 innings this season, and has the best ground ball to fly ball ratio in the majors among qualified starting pitchers.

“He works his butt off and he’s nasty,” said Aaron Nola succinctly about his rotation mate.

Zack Wheeler, another nasty pitcher in the Phillies starting rotation, allowed one run on two hits over seven innings on Saturday in a 12-1 win. Wheeler didn’t walk a single batter as he improved to 9-4 on the season with a 2.73 ERA.

“I felt a lot better than last time,” said Wheeler, who had a rare bad outing in his previous start. “I worked on a few things between starts to slow my rhythm down.”

Wheeler had plenty of help in Saturday’s game, as the Phils racked up four home runs and 14 total hits. Bryce Harper (18 home runs), Alec Bohm (8), Nick Castellanos (11), and David Dahl (3) went deep. Harper had four hits in five at-bats.

“Everybody in the lineup, including the guys we put in late, got on base,” Thomson said on Saturday. “It was a great offensive day, it really was.”

Friday night’s 5-4 loss was the only blemish on an otherwise stellar weekend for the Fightins. Starting pitcher Taijuan Walker lasted just four innings, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks.

The Phillies placed Walker on the 15-day Injured List following the start, when it was revealed that he is suffering from index finger inflammation and a blister on his throwing hand. “I think it’s probably been going on for a while,” Thomson said about the injury. “[Walker’s] not going to admit to anything, because he’s a competitor.” Walker said after Friday’s start that he is “100% healthy.”

The finger issue impacts Walker’s ability to command his splitter. It’s typically his best pitch, but hitters are batting .426 against it this season.

The club recalled RHP Michael Mercado from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to replace Walker on the roster. Mercado has a 1.71 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 47.1 innings for the IronPigs this year. But it will be Spencer Turnbull who takes Walker’s spot in the rotation.

Filling in for an injured Walker to begin the 2024 season, Turnbull went 5-1 with a 1.67 ERA in six starts. He struck out 36 batters and walked ten in 32.1 innings.

“I want to do whatever I can to help the team win. But, obviously, I prefer starting [to a relief role,” said Turnbull about his return to the rotation. His next start will be against the Tigers–Turnbull’s former team–in Detroit on Wednesday.

Next up for the Phillies, however, is Aaron Nola (8-3, 3.54 ERA). He’ll face Tigers RHP Casey Mize (1-5, 4.43 ERA) on Monday. On Tuesday, Ranger Suarez (10-1, 1.75 ERA) gets the ball against LHP Tarik Skubal (8-3, 2.50 ERA). The Tigers’ starting pitcher for Wednesday’s game against Turnbull has yet to be announced.

The Phillies have 51 wins following Sunday’s victory, one win shy of the franchise record through 77 games. They have the best record in the National League and lead the Atlanta Braves by seven games in the NL East.