Cristopher Sánchez struggles in World Baseball Classic debut, but Dominican Republic still wins big in opener

Cristopher Sánchez struggled on Friday. (Madeline Ressler/Phillies Nation)

Left-hander Cristopher Sánchez made the first batter of his World Baseball Classic debut swing and miss at a third strike, but the ball skirted away from catcher Austin Wells and allowed Chase Dawson to reach first base. It was that kind of night for Sánchez, who struggled against Nicaragua in his first opportunity on this international stage.

Sánchez allowed three runs (two earned) in 1 1/3 innings.