Sánchez made his 2013 regular season debut on April 3, as the starting pitcher in the Tigers' second game of the season. On April 26, during a 10–0 victory at Comerica Park against the Atlanta Braves, Sánchez set a Detroit Tigers franchise record with 17 strikeouts, breaking the previous team record of 16 set in 1972 by Mickey Lolich. Amazingly, Sánchez set the record in only 8 innings pitched, as he was removed from the game prior to the ninth inning after throwing 121 pitches. On May 24, Sánchez made a bid for his second career no-hitter. He did not allow a hit for 8 innings against the Minnesota Twins, before finally surrendering a single to Joe Mauer. He finished the game to earn a shutout in the Tigers 6–0 win.