Longest scoreless streaks in MLB history: Where Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sanchez's current run ranks all-time

Following his 2024 All-Star bid and 2025 emergence as a true ace, Cristopher Sanchez had a bumpier start to the 2026 MLB season than expected. But he's quickly recovered with a newfound level of dominance.

The Philadelphia Phillies' southpaw has had an otherworldly month of May, going four-straight starts with at least seven innings while not allowing a single run in any of those appearances. In the process, Sanchez hasn't just become an early NL Cy Young favorite — he's been slowly climbing toward the longest scoreless inning streaks in franchise history.

Entering Wednesday's start against the Padres, Sanchez will have an opportunity to enter the top-10 all-time in consecutive scoreless innings pitched, as well as set a new Phillies record.

Here's where Sanchez's active scoreless streak ranks all-time and a look at his terrific recent stretch.

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Longest scoreless streak in MLB history

The longest scoreless streak in MLB regular-season history belongs to Orel Hershiser, who went 59 consecutive frames for the Dodgers from Aug. 30, 1988, to Sept. 28, 1988, without allowing a run. That stretch included five straight nine-inning shutouts, and Hershiser went on to win the NL Cy Young Award.

Mariano Rivera holds the postseason record for consecutive scoreless innings, going 33.1 frames in a row without allowing a run from 1998-2000.

Depending on the era, the record books for scoreless streaks can change a bit. All-time, there were a few scoreless streaks in the early 20th century — but in the Live Ball Era, which began in 1920, it's been a more exclusive list of pitchers to go at least 40 scoreless innings in a row.

Since 2000, the longest scoreless pitching streak was Zack Greinke's 45.2 consecutive scoreless frames for the Dodgers in 2015. The longest streak of the 2020s so far was Zac Gallen's 44.1 innings without a run in 2022.

Here's a look at the top-10 longest scoreless streaks all-time, regardless of era:

And a look at only the top-10 in the Live Ball Era, since 1920:

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Longest scoreless streak in Phillies history

Already, Sanchez has made his mark in the Phillies' franchise record books. 

Entering his May 27 start against the Padres, Sanchez ranks second in Phillies history with his 37.2 consecutive scoreless innings, trailing only Grover Alexander's 41-straight scoreless innings in 1911.

Sanchez most recently passed another left-hander on the list, Cliff Lee, who went 34.0 scoreless innings in a row in 2011.

Here's a look at the Phillies' longest scoreless streaks ever:

*Active streak

Cristopher Sanchez stats

Sanchez, who has blossomed from a minor 2019 trade from the Rays' farm system into an elite starter with the Phillies, has lowered his ERA and increased his innings, wins and strikeouts totals in each of the last three seasons.

In 2026, thanks to his recent dominance, Sanchez appears poised to once again one-up his previous 2025 numbers — and he's undoubtedly one of the NL Cy Young Award favorites in a loaded early field that includes Paul Skenes, Jacob Misiorowski, Chris Sale and Shohei Ohtani.

Entering his May 27 start, Sanchez ranks third in MLB in ERA among qualified starters, second in total innings pitched, third in total strikeouts and first in WAR.

Here's a look at his 2026 numbers so far:

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Cristopher Sanchez contract details

• Six years, $104 million (through 2032, club option 2033)

As Sanchez has elevated his play, becoming one of the best pitchers in baseball, the Phillies have now paid him twice to stay in Philadelphia for the long-term.

In 2024, Sanchez initially signed a four-year, $22.5 million extension with the Phillies that took him through the 2030 season, including team options. But as he cemented himself as an ace, that deal only looked more team-friendly — and as a result, the Phillies chose to reward him again.

Now, as of March, Sanchez is playing on a new six-year, $104 million contract that runs through 2032 with a team option in 2033. In essence, the deal kept the same original extension in place while adding around $30 million in salary in 2031 and 2032.

At $17.33 million per season due to him having lower salaries earlier in the extension, Sanchez's contract still appears to be a bargain for Philadelphia — according to Spotrac, that $17.33 million AAV currently ranks 40th among all MLB starting pitchers, while Sanchez's total value of $107 million ranks 21st among all starters.