Aaron Nola didn't have a promising start to his third game since returning from the injured list when he took the mound on Thursday for the series opener against the Atlanta Braves. The Philadelphia Phillies' veteran right-hander struggled through a three-run, 37-pitch inning.
But Nola turned things around and made some history in the Phillies' 19-4 win, passing Cole Hamels for third on the franchise's all-time strikeout list. Although his accomplishment was understandably overshadowed by Kyle Schwarber's massive night.
After the offense handed Nola a 5-3 lead heading into the second inning, he shut down the Braves over the next five innings. He allowed just one more run to score and struck out four over six total innings of work. It was the fourth strikeout of the night, a sixth-inning punchout of Ronald Acuña Jr., that was history-making. It marked strikeout 1,845 for Nola, sliding ahead of Hamels, a former teammate.
After passing Cole Hamels on Phillies' strikeout list, Aaron Nola can still pass Robin Roberts this season
Nola now trails only Hall of Famers Robin Roberts (1,871) and Steve Carlton (3,031) on the Phillies' all-time list. He has a good chance to pass Roberts this season, needing only 27 strikeouts to move into second place all-time. Carlton's record is likely safe for eternity.
With his 4th strikeout tonight, Aaron Nola moves past Cole Hamels for 3rd on the Phillies' all-time list.
— Paul Casella (@Paul_CasellaMLB) August 29, 2025
1. Steve Carlton: 3,031
2. Robin Roberts: 1,871
3. Aaron Nola: 1,845**
4. Cole Hamels: 1,844
** - Through 4 K's tonight
After the game, Nola, who's in his 11th season with the Phillies, was his usual humble self when discussing his accomplishment, per Destiny Lugardo of Phillies Nation.
“There’s been some really, really great pitchers to come through here,” Nola said, per Lugardo. “I just want to keep making starts and have good years, be healthy and put the team in a good chance to win every time I’m out there and be the best teammate I can be.”
The Phillies were looking for a bounce back after taking a pummeling at Citi Field earlier in the week, and Nola settled in and battled, despite the astounding run support. He has now delivered two much-improved outings compared to his first start back after three months on the IL, when he allowed seven runs (six earned) against Washington.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson sang Nola's praises after the game.
“He’s a great pitcher,” Thomson said, per Lugardo. “He was on the IL earlier in the season. He went a number of years of never missing a start, really. It tells you a lot about him. About his toughness, about his conditioning, things like that. He takes care of himself.”
With back-to-back wins, Nola is now 3-7 on the year, with a 6.47 ERA that will remain high after a dreadful start to the season. The Phillies won't care about his first couple of rough months if Nola can find his form and help stabillize the rotation over the final month of the regular season and into the playoffs.