Cristopher Sanchez returned to All-Star form Saturday, striking out seven over seven innings to lead the Phillies past the Tigers 4-2 at Comerica Park. The left-hander allowed two runs on ten hits, improving to 11-4 five days after a career-worst start against Kansas City where he surrendered nine earned runs in 3⅓ innings. Jonathan Bowlan worked a hitless eighth and Jhoan Duran closed the door for his 24th save.

Philadelphia improved to 53-43 overall and an MLB-best 45-25 since snapping a ten-game skid on April 25, owning the second-highest winning percentage in that span. Trea Turner's sacrifice fly opened the scoring in the third before J.T. Realmuto's two-run double in the fourth provided breathing room. Former Tiger Derek Hill robbed Zach McKinstry of a game-tying hit with a diving catch in left field, a play Hill credited to familiarity with the ballpark's quirks.

Eduardo Valencia homered for Detroit in the fifth, but Casey Mize (4-6) took the loss after 5⅔ innings. The series finale Sunday pits Zack Wheeler (9-1, 2.28 ERA) against Tarik Skubal (5-4, 3.06) in a matchup of frontline starters that could determine whether Philadelphia extends its dominance over the AL Central.