Phillies stars Aaron Nola and Rhys Hoskins set career milestones.
Two Philadelphia Phillies stars — starting pitcher Aaron Nola and first baseman Rhys Hoskins — achieved impressive career milestones opposite the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday, as the team reached double digits in runs for just the second time this season.
By striking out Reds outfielder Jesse Winker for the final out in the fifth inning, Nola recorded his 1,000th career strikeout. In doing so, he became the fastest pitcher in Phillies franchise history to reach quadruple digits in strikeouts.
The right-hander (27 years, 362 days) also became just the third different Phillies pitcher to reach 1,000 strikeouts before turning 28 — joining Steve Carlton (27 years, 137 days) and Cole Hamels (27 years, 174 days). In addition, Nola became the ninth pitcher overall to reach 1,000 strikeouts with the Phillies, joining Carlton (3,031); Robin Roberts (1,871); Hamels (1,844); Chris Short (1,585); Curt Schilling (1,554); Pete Alexander (1,409); Jim Bunning (1,197); and Curt Simmons (1,052).
Aaron Nola's 1,000th strikeout. He is the ninth #Phillies pitcher to reach 1,000 and the fastest to do it. pic.twitter.com/NElApZrhqP
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) June 2, 2021
In the previous half-inning, Rhys Hoskins doubled opposite two-time All-Star RHP Sonny Gray — which both extended his hitting streak to 10 games while setting a career 100 doubles mark. An inning later, Hoskins hit a two-run home run to extend the team’s lead to 10-3.
Just 10 days prior, Hoskins recorded his 100th career home run in his 450th game, making him the third-fastest Phillie to do so in franchise history (trailing Ryan Howard, 325 games; and Chuck Klein, 390 games).
Cristopher Sanchez could be the next left-handed pitcher the Phillies start.
The impressive feats for the Phillies organization did not just happen at the big-league level on Tuesday. As they explore potentially using a four-man rotation this month — thanks to their rare seven off days — it appears Joe Girardi has at least one insurance starting pitcher option waiting in the wings at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Facing the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, left-hander Cristopher Sanchez set an IronPigs record with 10 consecutive hitless innings dating back to May 20. In his previous outing last Wednesday, Sanchez tossed 5 1/3 hitless innings, walking just one batter while striking out eight. The Phillies wound up losing their combined no-hit bid in the ninth inning.
The Phillies acquired Sanchez from the Tampa Bay Rays in November 2019 in exchange for fellow minor-leaguer Curtis Mead. The 20-year-old infielder is slashing .309/.367/.494 with seven doubles, two home runs, 10 RBI, six walks, and 15 strikeouts across 20 games and 90 plate appearances this season for the Rays’ Single-A Charleston RiverDogs affiliate.
Sanchez was recalled from Triple-A on two separate occurrences this season, April 19 and May 3. He was optioned back down the following day — without making his MLB debut — both times.