Phillies Pitcher Breaks 113-Year Record with Historic May

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sánchez just did something no one has done in over a century, and it's helping rescue his team's season.

Sánchez threw five straight starts in May without allowing a single run. Each start lasted at least seven innings, including one complete game shutout, as he struck out 36 batters while walking just three.

His scoreless streak now stands at 44 and two-thirds innings, breaking a Phillies record set by Hall of Famer Grover Alexander in 1911. That's before Fenway Park even existed.

Think about that for a moment. Robin Roberts didn't break it. Neither did Steve Carlton, Roy Halladay, or Cole Hamels. All legendary Phillies pitchers who came close but couldn't touch Alexander's mark.

Sánchez accomplished it on Wednesday with seven more shutout innings against the San Diego Padres. The win clinched a series sweep and dropped his league-leading ERA to 1.42.

The Ripple Effect

The timing couldn't be better for Philadelphia. The Phillies started May at 12-19, having been outscored by 45 runs and drowning in last place.

Then Sánchez got hot. The team won four of his five starts and went 17-8 for the month with a plus-28 run differential.

Philadelphia has climbed to 29-27 and second place in their division. They've erased a 45-run deficit and found their footing, all while their left-hander was making history.

Sánchez joins elite company beyond just Phillies records. He's only the second pitcher ever to complete an entire month with five or more starts without allowing a run, joining Orel Hershiser's legendary 1988 season.

His scoreless streak ranks seventh-longest in the live-ball era. Two more outs and he'll crack the top five.

He's also tied for third in consecutive scoreless starts of seven-plus innings since 1900, behind only Hershiser and Don Drysdale. Both are considered among the greatest pitchers who ever lived.

The streak will end eventually, but right now Sánchez is carrying his team back into contention while his name sits alongside baseball immortals.