Christopher Sanchez fans 10 as Phillies top Rangers in opener

Field Level Media|published: Thu 26th March, 19:23 2026

Mar 26, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm (28) reacts after hitting a three RBI home run against the Texas Rangers during the fifth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory 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

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