Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sanchez has quietly established himself as one of baseball's most dependable arms, so it's no surprise that his competitive fire burns bright. That intensity was on full display during Thursday's win over the San Francisco Giants, when the left-hander showed clear frustration after being pulled from the game with just one out remaining in the seventh inning.

"Of course, I wanted to stay out," Sanchez said through an interpreter after the game. "I mean, 85 pitches. I just wanted to finish that one off."

And who could blame him? Sanchez delivered one of his sharpest outings of the season, working 6.2 innings while allowing just two runs on three hits and striking out seven. Despite a stellar 2.90 ERA, his uncharacteristic 1.512 WHIP suggests he's been battling some traffic on the bases, but Thursday was a step in the right direction.

Don Mattingly, the Phillies' bench coach and former manager, understood Sanchez's reaction completely. Having managed for over a decade with the Dodgers and Marlins, Mattingly knows the value of a pitcher who wants the ball in big moments.

"That's one thing about guys being upset," Mattingly said. "I've been doing this long enough to know that guys are competitive and they want to stay in the game. We felt like it was the right spot, not to let anything get started."

Mattingly's perspective carries weight. He managed the Dodgers to three straight NL West titles from 2013-2015, then led the Marlins to their first playoff berth since 2003 during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. The 65-year-old also enjoyed a legendary playing career with the New York Yankees, so he knows a thing or two about competitive fire.

For Sanchez, the frustration is a sign of growth. A pitcher who cares that deeply about every out is exactly the kind of arm you want on the mound when the stakes are highest. And while Mattingly made the call this time, you can bet Sanchez will be ready to finish the job next time.