Field Level Media
27 Mar 2026, 04:55 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)
Cristopher Sanchez struck out 10 batters over six scoreless innings and Kyle Schwarber and Alec Bohm each homered, fueling the host Philadelphia Phillies to a 5-3 win over the Texas Rangers on Thursday in the season opener for both teams.
Signed to a six-year contract extension on Sunday, Sanchez (1-0) highlighted his day by striking out the side in the sixth inning. His strikeout total was one shy of the franchise record for Opening Day starts, set by Chris Short in 1965 and matched by Curt Schilling in 1997.
Sanchez scattered three hits and did not walk a batter before exiting after 87 pitches (59 strikes).
Schwarber followed up his career-high 56-homer season in 2025 by belting a two-run shot in the first inning. The homer was Schwarber's third in a Phillies uniform on Opening Day, and the second in as many years.
Bohm provided insurance in the fifth inning, launching an opposite-field three-run homer to right to stake Philadelphia to a 5-0 lead.
Making his MLB debut, Justin Crawford singled on the first pitch he saw in the second inning and singled again to lead off the fifth inning. The rookie joined Trea Turner, Brandon Marsh and Bryson Stott with two of the Phillies' 10 hits each.
Jake Burger capped a three-hit performance by belting a two-run homer in the ninth inning for the Rangers off Kyle Backhus.
Kyle Higashioka singled and advanced to third base on an error before Jhoan Duran relieved Backhus. Duran surrendered a two-out RBI single to Danny Jansen before inducing Evan Carter to ground out to secure his first save of the season.
With Turner aboard after legging out an infield single, Schwarber deposited a 1-2 curveball from Nathan Eovaldi (0-1) over the wall in left-center field.
Crawford and Turner each singled in the fifth and Bohm stepped up three batters later and sent a 2-0 cutter from Eovaldi over the wall in right field.
That spelled the end of the afternoon for Eovaldi, who allowed five runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings.
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Austin Globe news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Austin Globe.
More InformationNEW YORK, New York - Ramblings from U.S. President Donald Trump over on-again, off-again, negotiations with Iran over a deal to end...
SAN FRANCISCO, California: DoorDash is rolling out additional payments for drivers in the United States and Canada as soaring fuel...
CANBERRA, Australia: Australia and the European Union have finalised a long-awaited trade agreement, lowering tariffs on most goods...
ATLANTA, Georgia: American air travelers believe that the only way out of the long queues for security checks now being seen at airports...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks advanced on Wednesday after it was reported the United States had offered Iran a deal to end the...
DUBLIN, Ireland: Excise duty on petrol and diesel is likely to be cut to help people cope with volatile fuel prices. The decision...
ATLANTA, Georgia: American air travelers believe that the only way out of the long queues for security checks now being seen at airports...
Masked federal agents kidnap a father as he waits to pick up his child from school. An ice cream cart is abandoned on the sidewalk,...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Labor rights activist Dolores Huerta said that she, along with other women and girls, was sexually abused by César...
(Photo credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images) Cristopher Sanchez struck out 10 batters over six scoreless innings and Kyle Schwarber...
(Photo credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images) Notre Dame brought back just three players from the team that walked off the court last...
(Photo credit: Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK) President Donald Trump has put together five committees to recommend...
