When Cristopher Sanchez goes makes the stroll from the dugout to the mound for his start in San Diego, there will be a bit of a target on his back. The lefty is currently at 37.2 scoreless innings in a row, just shy of Grover Alexander‘s Phillies’ record of 41 straight scoreless innings set back in 1911.

Think about that. In 115 years, no Phillies pitcher – Rick Wise, Jim Bunning, Steve Carlton, Curt Schilling, Roy Halladay; not even Randy Lerch — has thrown 41 consecutive scoreless innings.

If you are going to be counting down to the record, there is one thing to keep in mind. Yes, he is 3.1 innings behind Alexander, but he really needs to throw four scoreless innings to snap the record. If he gives up a run with two outs in the fourth, he does not get credit for breaking the streak. He would have three innings added to his total, leaving him at 40.2 innings. Consider it an accounting issue.

As for the major league record, Sanchez has some pitching to do. Orel Hershiser holds the record with 59 consecutive scoreless innings, which he accomplished in 1988. In other words, Sanchez could throw two complete game shutouts and still be 3.1 innings short. And yes, the same “accounting issue” would apply to breaking the record held by Hershiser.

Sanchez’ streak has some interesting tidbits:

  • In May, Sanchez has made four starts and thrown 32 innings without allowing a run. He has struck out 36 hitters in that stretch. Unbelievably, he is just the fourth pitcher since 1900 to record 36 strikeouts and 32 scoreless innings over a span of four starts. Kershaw did it in 2014 and 2015, Ray Culp (a former Phillie) did it with Boston in 1968, and Hall of Famer Ed Walsh did it with the White Sox in 1910.
  • Sanchez is the first pitcher since Kershaw in 2015 to pitch four consecutive scoreless starts of seven innings or more.

In case you’re wondering, Sanchez has faced San Diego four times as a starter and is 3-1 with a 2.05 ERA. He has held their hitters to a .220/.260/.297/.557 slash line. His first start at Petco Park came last season and he went 7.1 innings, allowing just one run.

The Phillies and Padres are scheduled for a 4:10 p.m. (local time) start this afternoon at Petco. Former Phillie Walker Buehler will start for the Padres.