A much-needed win for the Phillies was pulled off after a dominant performance from Aaron Nola.
Aaron Nola pulled out another Cy Young-quality performance Thursday afternoon in a 2-0 win in Washington for the Phillies.
The 25-year-old earned his 15th win of the season after pitching eight shutout innings, allowing only five hits and one walk while striking out nine Nationals hitters.
Thursday’s game was Nola’s 16th game where he went at least six innings and allowed five hits or fewer. Thirteen of those games have featured Nola allowing two runs or less in his outing.
Pat Neshek came in and closed out the game with a perfect inning, sealing the club’s 69th win of the season.
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Philadelphia needed a strong outing from their pitching staff after they fell through Wednesday night and Seranthony Dominguez gave up a walk-off two-run home run to Ryan Zimmerman. In addition, Edubray Ramos was placed on the disabled list prior to the game with a blister, along with first baseman Justin Bour after he pulled an oblique on his final swing Wednesday night.
Philadelphia’s only offense came from an Odubel Herrera two-run home run in the seventh inning. It was Herrera’s first home run since July 27, and a small light in Herrera’s poor second half of the season.
The Phillies center fielder has hit .224 since July 1 with six home runs after a dominant first couple weeks of the season when he hit well over .300.
Max Scherzer held the Phillies hitless into the fifth inning before Jorge Alfaro hit a ball off Trea Turner’s glove. Looking for his third-consecutive Cy Young and the fourth in his career, Scherzer went seven innings giving up just two hits and striking out 10.
Philadelphia will look to extend their good luck in Toronto during a three-game series against the Blue Jays. Jake Arrieta is scheduled to get the start Friday evening with Ryan Borucki on the mound for Toronto.