Nola gives up a pair of 4-run innings as Phillies lose series finale to Red Sox originally appeared in NBC Sports Philadelphia
BOSTON – For the second night in a row, the Phillies didn’t get what they’re used to at this point in the season – a long, strong outing from their starter.
Aaron Nola gave up two four-run innings in the Phillies’ 9-3 loss to the Red Sox on Thursday night at Fenway.
The eight races tied the entire total of races won in the month of April. It’s the most he’s allowed in a single game since Aug. 30, 2022, when he gave up eight against the Diamondbacks.
His night ended after retiring just 11 batters. He allowed 11 hits and had just two strikeouts. The 3.2 innings are officially his shortest outing of the season. These two eliminations also mark another low point of the season.
Nola’s ERA jumped from 2.77 to 3.48.
The biggest concern surrounding the amount of traveling the Phillies have done in recent weeks has been health, although their secondary issue has also come to fruition. The amount of days off appears to have affected the majority of the pitching staff.
Nola was last pitched in the series finale against the Brewers on June 5, the day the team traveled to London. Cristopher Sanchez, who had his second-shortest game of the season last night and gave up four runs, hasn’t pitched since June 4.
However, this was almost anticipated, so it shouldn’t raise any red flags at the moment. That’s why starting the season so strong is essential. When you have 20+ games above .500 near the middle of June, a few mistakes aren’t harmful.
If there’s a bright spot in this series, it’s Kyle Schwarber.
In the past, the designated hitter was tied to the month of June by the number of home runs he hit. In 2023, he had eight in the month, in 2022, 12, the best in the league.
This time it took 11 days, but he finally got his first game of June in a multi-home run game in the series opener against the Red Sox.
So Mr. June has technically has arrived – although, in fact, it already exists – just in a different way. He only had two home runs, but Schwarber’s production in June elevated the Phillies’ offense, especially at the leadoff spot.
Over the three-game series, in his first at-bat, Schwarber singled, walked and scored. In his last six games, he has struck out 10 times and walked six times.
Schwarber’s fourth-inning double cleared the bases to give the Phillies their first and only run of the game. He had a three-hit night.
If there’s one debate that can be squashed this season, it’s trying to figure out if Schwarber is the best option at the top of the standings.
Right now, he is.
The road ahead. . .
The Phillies head to Baltimore to wrap up their seven-game road trip in a weekend series against the Orioles at Camden Yards.
The Phillies starting pitching will feature Ranger Suarez (10-1, 1.81 ERA), Taijuan Walker (3-1, 5.40 ERA) and Zack Wheeler in that order. The Orioles will run with Kyle Bradish (2-0, 2.62 ERA), Grayson Rodriguez (7-2, 3.27 ERA) and Corbin Burnes (7-2, 2.08 ERA).
Then, they will return home after 12 days and travel more than 7,000 miles to host the Padres and Diamondbacks.
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts:
Apple Podcasts | Music Youtube | Spotify | Seamstress | Art19 | RSS | Watch on youtube
