Cristopher Sánchez struggles, fielding errors doom Phillies in 8-1 loss to Cincinnati Reds

CINCINNATI — The Phillies’ starters knew that their combined 0.70 ERA during the team’s seven-game winning streak wouldn’t last forever, and on Tuesday night, it went up a few ticks.

Cristopher Sánchez was not helped by the infield defense, but he also struggled with his control, allowed some hard hits and lasted just three innings in an 8-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. While only one of the five runs he allowed was earned, he gave up five hits and three walks with two wild pitches and three strikeouts.

Sánchez now has allowed 11 walks through his five starts. It’s a small sample but a notable one considering how few walks he allowed last season (16 in 99⅓ innings over 19 games). He is striking out hitters at a higher rate than he was in 2023, and is throwing the ball a little bit harder, which could be contributing to the control issues.

“I missed a lot of pitches today,” Sánchez said.

Yunior Marte entered in relief of Sánchez in the fourth inning and allowed a two-run home run to Elly De La Cruz in the fifth inning to give the Reds a 7-1 lead. Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm each pitched a scoreless frame, but Ricardo Pinto allowed a home run to Santiago Espinal in the eighth to give the Reds an 8-1 lead.

» READ MORE: ‘You gotta throw a no-hitter now’: Inside the Phillies starters’ lighthearted, friendly competition

The Phillies were unable to cobble together the runs they have in recent games. The lineup combined for one run with five hits and seven strikeouts. They went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position, including a bases-loaded situation with no outs in the fifth. Kyle Schwarber struck out, and then the Reds replaced starter Andrew Abbott with reliever Fernando Cruz. Trea Turner struck out and J.T. Realmuto lined out to end the inning.

“We had a chance in the fifth inning there,” manager Rob Thomson said. “Bottom of the lineup all walked. We just couldn’t punch it across. Could’ve gotten back in the game right there.”

The Phillies fell to 15-9.

Part of what has enabled the starters to pitch so deep is strong infield and outfield defense, and on Tuesday, it looked a lot more flawed. Sánchez began his outing with Stuart Fairchild reaching on an error by third baseman Edmundo Sosa, setting up a run that scored on a double by Christian Encarnacion-Strand.

In the third inning, with a runner on second and two out, Encarnacion-Strand singled to left field. Cristian Pache’s throw home hit the baserunner for a throwing error.

“There were some things that were unfortunate, you know, the throw that Pache made was really good,” Thomson said. “Hits the runner going into the plate. I think we had a chance to have an out there, but it didn’t happen. Got to move on.”

Two at-bats later, with runners on second and third, Nick Martini hit a ball to Trea Turner at shortstop. Turner made a great play to snag Martini’s ball in time to throw to Alec Bohm, who made the start at first base instead of third. Turner’s throw was a little off line, and Bohm dropped it for an error as two runs scored.

It was Bohm’s second start of the season at first base. Bryce Harper is on paternity leave, and Thomson wanted to keep the right-handed Bohm in the lineup against left-handed Abbott.

» READ MORE: How Jake Cave helped the Phillies’ Brandon Marsh to be ready as he pushes to play every day

In the fourth inning, center fielder Johan Rojas made a great leaping catch at the wall to rob Spencer Steer, but he hit the fence and fell to the ground. Thomson and a trainer jogged out to center field to check on Rojas, but he remained in the game.

Both Thomson and Rojas said that he is OK. The staff will check on him Wednesday but expect Rojas to be fine for the game that night.