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5 Best individual Phillies’ performances of 2021

By Bryce Turner

Jun 9, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Luke Williams (30) runs the bases after his walk off home run against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Luke Williams (30) runs the bases after his walk off home run against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 25, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola (27) pitches in the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola (27) pitches in the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports /

#1 Philadelphia Phillies individual performance: Aaron Nola 10 straight strikeouts

Arguably the best individual performance of the Phillies season came in the first game of a doubleheader, on June 25 at the New York Mets. Aaron Nola entered the game looking to redeem himself from his previous outing, where he gave up six runs in 2 1/3 innings at the San Francisco Giants.

Nola had a rough start to this game, hitting Jeff McNeil on the second pitch before giving up a double to Francisco Lindor. He then responded with consecutive strikeouts to Michael Conforto, Pete Alonso, and Dominic Smith to get out of the jam.

That was the start of a remarkable stretch for the 2018 Cy Young Award finalist. Nola struck out James McCann and Kevin Pillar to begin the bottom of the second inning before a tense moment, with a full count to Luis Guillorme. The 3-2 count didn’t last long, however, with a sixth pitch swinging strike to end the inning.

Nola found himself in the same position to start the bottom of the third inning, with a full count to pitcher Taijuan Walker before a sixth pitch strike. McNeil and Lindor came to the plate for the second time, with both striking out swinging, including a three-pitch at-bat for Lindor.

Nola struck out Conforto to start the bottom of the fourth inning before a double by Alonso snapped the streak at 10 consecutive strikeouts. Ironically, the streak tied a major league record set by Mets legend Tom Seaver in 1970. The previous Phillies franchise record was seven straight strikeouts, achieved on three occasions.

Aaron Nola stat line: 5.1 IP (99 pitches), 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 12 SO

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