The Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies experienced polar opposite weekends heading into their first matchup of the season Monday in Philadelphia. The Rays (71-72) lost their series opener in Baltimore on Friday before winning the final two games in decisive fashion. They pounded the Orioles 7-1 on Saturday and then twirled a five-hit shutout Sunday while Jonny DeLuca hit a two-run homer to account for the offense.
Meanwhile, the Phillies (85-58) took the first two games of the four-game series against the Miami Marlins before the Marlins walloped them 19-6 over the final two contests. Seth Johnson was torched in his major league debut Sunday, allowing nine runs in 2 1/3 innings. That sets the stage for a three-game series that will open with Phillies All-Star Cristopher Sanchez (10-9, 3.
45 ERA) facing his former organization. Philadelphia acquired Sanchez in November 2019 before bringing the Dominican lefty to the majors in 2021. After finding inconsistent success in his first three seasons, Sanchez has found a beautiful rhythm this year.
He has been particularly effective of late, going 2-1 with a 2.60 ERA in his past four starts. Sanchez held the Toronto Blue Jays to two runs and six hits in seven innings Wednesday, striking out seven without a walk.
He gave up two runs in the first inning and then put up zeroes the rest of the way. "That's the thing about Sanchez's growth and maturity," Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. "A few years ago, if he had that first inning .