PHILADELPHIA — Last week’s scare in New York could have been serious for the Phillies. Left-hander Cristopher Sánchez, perhaps the club’s second best starting pitcher, left his last outing against the Mets early with forearm tightness. The team decided to push back his next start.
Eight days later, he returned to the mound seeming healthy, a development more crucial than any individual win. Sánchez threw five innings and allowed two runs in a 7-2 victory against the Nationals on Wednesday night at Citizens Bank Park. His control suffered at times, but his arsenal looked normal.
After manager Rob Thomson said the lefty would have “no restrictions,” Sánchez exited the game after a solid 87-pitch performance.