Baseball Streak Ends
Cristopher Sanchez's Scoreless Streak Ends at 50.2 Innings, Preserving Orel Hershiser's Record
Orel Hershiser said he was rooting for Cristopher Sánchez to break his all-time scoreless innings record — but admitted relief when the streak finally ended. Sánchez's remarkable run stopped at 50.2 consecutive scoreless innings on June 3, 2026, falling 8.1 innings short of Hershiser's 59.0-inning mark set in 1988, according to USA Today.
The Philadelphia Phillies left-hander still won the game, 3-2, over the San Diego Padres. His streak now ranks as the fifth-longest in MLB history — and the longest ever by a left-handed pitcher, according to CBS 8.
A Two-Out Single Ends a Historic Run
Sánchez entered the seventh inning at Citizens Bank Park still scoreless. He had retired the side in the first inning, passing Carl Hubbell's record of 45.1 innings for the longest scoreless streak by a left-handed pitcher in MLB history. Then, with two outs and a runner on second, Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill hit a single to left field. Ty France scored from second base. The streak was over, according to WNEP.
The 40,453 fans at Citizens Bank Park gave Sánchez a standing ovation after the run scored. Sánchez was composed after the game. "I never imagined something like this," he said. "So, I'm really happy and proud of myself." Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly called it one of a kind. "I don't know if I've seen anything that's really been better than this," he said, according to Yahoo Sports.
Hershiser Wanted the Record Broken — Mostly
Hershiser, whose 59.0-inning streak in 1988 has stood for 38 years, was open about his mixed feelings. Before the game, he said he was pulling for Sánchez to have a life-changing moment. "The only time I'm not going to root for him is when he's pitching against the Dodgers," Hershiser said, according to USA Today.
After the streak ended, Hershiser expressed relief that his record survived. He set his mark in 1988, topping Don Drysdale's 1968 record of 58.0 innings. Both men pitched for the Dodgers. Hershiser's record has now survived another serious challenge, and he said the feat was "life-changing" when it happened, according to Yahoo Sports.
Sánchez's Numbers Were Historically Dominant
In May alone, Sánchez went 39.0 innings without allowing a run. He struck out 45 batters, walked just 3, and posted a 0.72 WHIP. During the full streak, opposing hitters batted just .153 against him. He went 4-0 in five starts that month, according to WTOL.
The streak began after Sánchez allowed two runs in his first inning on April 30 against the San Francisco Giants. He then went 152 straight outs without giving up a run. On May 27, he broke the Phillies' franchise record of 41.0 innings set by Hall of Famer Grover Cleveland Alexander over 115 years ago, according to Local Memphis.
More Record Runs May Be Coming in 2026
Hershiser did not stop at celebrating his record's survival. He predicted that more long scoreless streaks are coming this season. He pointed to Brewers rookie Jacob Misiorowski, who struck out 57 batters in May alone, and Shohei Ohtani, who posted a 0.82 ERA in his first nine starts of 2026, according to Yahoo Sports.
Sánchez himself is now a front-runner for the NL Cy Young Award. His 50.2-inning streak places him above Walter Johnson (55.2 IP in 1913) and Jack Coombs (53.0 IP in 1910) among left-handed pitchers — and third all-time in the live-ball era. His success with an 86.5 mph changeup suggests that movement, not pure speed, may be the new edge in elite pitching, according to WHAS11.
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