When the left-hander retired Jackson Merrill to end the fourth inning in Wednesday’s game against the Padres, he officially surpassed Hall of Famer Grover Alexander for the longest scoreless innings streak by any Phillies pitcher since 1893 (when the mound moved to its current distance). Sánchez’s four innings raised his total to 41 2/3 innings (and counting), eclipsing Alexander’s 41-inning streak as a rookie in 1911.

It wasn’t without drama, though. Padres first baseman Gavin Sheets hit a loud 339-foot flyout to end the third inning, then Manny Machado started the fourth with a towering fly ball to left field that sent left fielder Edmundo Sosa racing back to the wall before ultimately settling underneath it on the warning track for a 356-foot flyout.

Two batters later, Ramón Laureano ripped a two-out double to put a runner in scoring position with the streak hanging in the balance. But Sánchez got Merrill to roll a ball to second baseman Bryson Stott for the record-clinching out.

Sánchez’s record-setting streak dates back to the second inning of his April 30 start against the Giants. To put in perspective just how long it’s been since Sánchez gave up a run, the last time a team scored off him came a few hours before the 76ers tipped off just across the street for Game 6 of their first-round NBA playoff series against the Celtics.

Co-ace Zack Wheeler had made only one start at that point (he’s now 4-0 with a 1.67 ERA in six starts). Interim manager Don Mattingly was wrapping up his first series at the helm. The Phillies were just 10-19 at the time.

A lot has changed since then — but not Sánchez’s run total. Here’s a look at the five longest streaks by Phillies pitchers since 1893:

1. Cristopher Sánchez (2026): 41 2/3 IP (through four innings Wednesday)
2. Grover Alexander (1911): 41 IP
3. Cliff Lee (2011): 34 IP
4t. Larry Andersen (1984): 32 2/3 IP
4t. Turk Farrell (1957-58): 32 2/3 IP

Sánchez still has a ways to go for the all-time record. That belongs to Dodgers legend Orel Hershiser, who went 59 straight innings without allowing a run in 1988.