Sánchez dominates with 12 strikeouts and Yankees hit nine home runs

PHILADELPHIA/TAMPA, Florida. – Pitching and offense had two Dominican protagonists this Tuesday in the Major Leagues. Left-handed pitcher Cristopher Sánchez once again shone like an ace in the Phillies' victory, while the Yankees unleashed a long-range offense in their victory over the Rays.

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At Citizens Bank Park, Sánchez matched his personal best with 12 strikeouts against the Seattle Mariners. Although he couldn't get the decision due to a bullpen failure, his dominance led Philadelphia to a 6-4 victory and secured the series.

Cristopher Sánchez gets a standing ovation from the Philly phaithful 👏 pic.twitter.com/bfZ8gyXDaI

— MLB (@MLB) August 20, 2025

The Dominican pitcher aggressively pitched from the start, throwing 26 strikes on first pitches to 27 batters, and extended a streak of dominance that keeps him with an ERA of 1.94 since June, the best in all of Major League Baseball during that period.

Cristopher Sánchez was masterful again last night.

Last Night: 6.1 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 12 K (Ties career high)

3 ER or less in 23 of his 25 starts this season
2 ER or less in 20 of 25 starts
5+ IP in 23 of 25 starts#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/4wfPd8tGJo

— Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) August 20, 2025

"No one can fill Zack Wheeler's shoes, but Cristopher has shown he can carry the team," said his catcher J.T. Realmuto, who backed his pitcher's work with a key two-run homer in the eighth inning. Meanwhile, at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, the New York Yankees unleashed all their power with nine home runs, including three consecutive in the first inning connected by Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Giancarlo Stanton, to crush the Rays 13-3. This tied a franchise record and made the Bronx Bombers the first team in MLB history with two games of nine or more home runs in the same season. "**We have a very good offense** and when we all click, nights like this happen," said Bellinger after hitting a pair of home runs. Stanton and Panamanian José Caballero also hit two home runs each. Judge, with his 40th home run of the campaign, joined Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Mickey Mantle as the only Yankees with at least four seasons of 40 home runs or more. Left-handed opener Carlos Rodón added his 13th victory with six innings of work, while the offense gave him plenty of room from the first inning.