Cristopher Sanchez dazzles through 7 scoreless in series finale against D-backs

A fresh new contract and one of his best starts of the season — it's safe to say Cristopher Sanchez has had quite the weekend.

Just one day after inking a four-year extension that runs through 2028, Sanchez went seven, strong innings to lead the Phillies to a 4-1 win and the club's 16th series win of the season.

Sanchez's command was in full force through his seven scoreless innings. He allowed just three hits, struck out four and threw 80 pitches, 54 for strikes. After retiring the last 11 batters he faced, his ERA dropped to 2.67 on the season.

"He was brilliant today, he really was," manager Rob Thomson said of his starter. "All his pitches were working, he was throwing strikes, keeping people off balance. (Diamondbacks are) a good offensive club over there and predominantly right-handed. Just a masterful job."

Thomson went on to credit catcher Garrett Stubbs' performance behind the plate and how well the two meshed Sunday.

"I thought (Stubbs) did a great job with him," he continued. "Stubby does a good job of using the secondary pitches early in the game and if he doesn't have it, he keeps calling until he, especially the changeup, until he gets it going and starts to land.

"It was really a good job by both of them."

It was almost an expected low-scoring effort after the offense exploded for 12 runs Saturday afternoon. Still, they ended the day with 11 hits to snag a National League-leading 51st win.

Nick Castellanos' RBI that drove in Alec Bohm in the second inning was the 800th of his career.

Castellanos wrapped up the series with four hits, two home runs and seven runs batted in. In the month of June, the right fielder has registered a hit in all but five of the 19 games played. His batting average continues to climb and sits at a season-high .277.

Back-to-back walks from Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh wound up biting the D-backs after a balk moved them both into scoring position.

David Dahl singled on a line drive to right field, scoring them both. He ended his day with two hits.

Bryce Harper started off the seventh inning with a leadoff double. Bohm was then the fourth Phillie in the series to be hit by a pitch. It was a minor storyline all series but both teams were hit by pitches four times. A Stott single to right scored Harper to give the Phillies one more insurance run.

Jose Alvarado pitched a scoreless eighth after not being used since June 17. The Diamondbacks' only run was scored in a last-ditch effort in the ninth inning off Jeff Hoffman, when Ketel Marte singled to score Geraldo Perdomo.

Sanchez's pitch count was only at that 80 mark by the time his day was finished, so was Thomson's decision to pull him due to the excessive heat or a chance to work a few arms in the bullpen?

"A combination of it all. Really hot, sweat was pouring out of (Sanchez)," he said. "He did a great job. Alvarado had five days off, Hoffman had four days off, so wanted to get them some work. It was good all the way around."

While the weekend has been nothing short of excellent for Sanchez, he remains focused on what's next.

"It's incredible. Signing an extension yesterday and then having the outing today," Sanchez said. "But we have to keep going, we have to keep doing things right and keep competing."

The Phillies take a quick trip to Detroit for a three-game series against the Tigers before heading back to Philadelphia to host the Marlins through the weekend.

Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez and Spencer Turnbull are scheduled to start in that order. This will be Turnbull's first start since April 30 against the Angels. Prior to Sunday's game, Taijuan Walker was placed on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to June 22), due to right index finger inflammation.

The Tigers have not announced their rotation at this point.

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