Five things we learned from the Phillies-Pirates series
By John Town
Aaron Nola strong back in action
Once again we were forced to wonder how Aaron Nola would fare after returning from the disabled list. His last start before Sunday was a month earlier against the Mets April 20. Nola went just five innings in that start, giving up four runs on seven hits and four walks while suffering a back strain in the process.
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Nola was only expected to miss one or two starts with the strain, but a setback in a simulated game delayed his return. Nick Pivetta made four starts in replacement of Nola – it would have been five had there not been a postponement the day Pivetta was to make his debut – while Nola nursed the injury.
After two solid rehab starts, Nola made his return to the Phillies Sunday against the Pirates. He was great in the start, going seven innings, which is an accomplishment on its own with this team. He allowed just one run on four hits and two walks. Nola also struck out five batters and maintained a ground ball rate of 52.6%. With this start, Nola dropped his ERA by nearly a full run (4.50 to 3.52).
He was great in the start, going seven innings, which is an accomplishment on its own with this team. He allowed just one run on four hits and two walks. Nola also struck out five batters and maintained a ground ball rate of 52.6%. With this start, Nola dropped his ERA by nearly a full run (4.50 to 3.52).
Nola was tagged with the loss as the Phillies could only muster three hits Sunday against Pittsburgh. However, this start was still a major success and his best in quite some time. Now it is time to see if this start was a fluke or the beginning of his return to his dominant self.