We’re running out of superlatives for Anibal Sanchez.
At 34 years old, 2018 brought upon Sanchez’s renaissance. His final start of the year Saturday was a perfect preparation for postseason baseball next week.
But as excellent as he was, Aaron Nola was as masterful. Sanchez finished after six innings, allowing the Phillies to take advantage in the seventh and win 3-0 at Citizens Bank Park.
Sanchez pitched six shutout innings. Nola answered with seven scoreless frames of his own, striking out eight and holding the Braves to two hits.
“A game like that, you just try to keep it close and hopefully (Nola’s) clicker runs out and they try somebody else,” manager Brian Snitker said. “Those guys are tough. And he’s really, really good. We just couldn’t get anything going against him.”
The downfall began with former Brave Jose Bautista, who drew a four-pitch walk from reliever Jonny Venters to open the seventh. Scott Kingery followed with a single. The Phillies loaded the bases with one out, allowing Cesar Hernandez to chase two home on a single past shortstop Charlie Culberson, who’s filling in for the injured Dansby Swanson.
It was a difficult play, and one Snitker initially thought would’ve been a double play. Swanson likely could’ve at least stopped the ball from reached the outfield, saving another run, but the Braves aren’t in a position for “what ifs.” Following another walk, Odubel Herrera beat out a throw to first, awarding the Phillies their third run of the inning.
Venters has been a crucial part of the bullpen. The Braves will need him at his best in the National League Division Series, but Saturday won’t go on his highlight reel. He recorded two outs while allowing three runs on two hits. He issued three walks, one intentional.
It was Venters’ 14th appearance in September, though most were in small increments as he’s typically used. It was his second appearance since the Braves clinched the NL East. Snitker hoped to back off Venters some to rest him down the final stretch, but the lefty didn’t attribute his outing to rust.
“Coming in there, you have to hold the game where it is and I didn’t do it,” Venters said. “The leadoff walk hurt. (Andrew Knapp) got down a good bunt. I got a couple groundballs. But I just didn’t get it done. I cost the team the game.”
Sanchez might’ve saved his best for last. His movement was, as it has been most of the year, filthy. He struck out seven Phillies. He scattered three walks and three hits across six innings, lowering his ERA to 2.83.
Few are better at navigating jams than the wily veteran. He escaped two-on trouble in the second when Roman Quinn was thrown out trying to steal third. After issuing his second walk of the inning to Kingery, he struck out Jorge Alfaro.
Rhys Hoskins just missed a homer to start the fourth. Sanchez retired the ensuing three quietly before producing a perfect fifth. He did similarly in the sixth, mitigating a Carlos Santana lead-off single.
“That was a good, solid outing right there,” Snitker said. “He matched (Nola). He did everything he could to give us a chance. It was a good ending for his regular season.
Sanchez gave the Braves 136-2/3 innings, striking out over eight per nine innings and posting 135 overall, tying his second-highest total since 2014.
“It’s a blessing, and I’m grateful for everything I’ve done this season,” Sanchez said. “I know it’s a long season. ... Those guys have been amazing. This clubhouse is like a family place for everybody.”
The Braves potentially missed a golden opportunity. The Rockies trailed the Nationals late Saturday night. If that lead holds, the Braves, Rockies and Dodgers will be tied at 90 wins. A win would’ve given the Braves a lead for home-field advantage in the NLDS with one game remaining.
Kevin Gausman opposes the Phillies’ Ranger Suarez in the regular-season finale Sunday afternoon. The Braves will play either the Rockies or Dodgers but aren’t any closer to figuring out where they’ll open Thursday.
“I like who we have on the mound (Sunday) and our bullpen’s in really good shape,” Snitker said. “So hopefully we can get that win and give ourselves every opportunity to get homefield.”
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