Phillies Overcome Nola’s Struggles in 11-9 Win

The Phillies managed to split their four-game series against the Nationals despite all of the on-and-off-the-field chaos that’s come with it. Today’s game was unique for a couple of reasons. Both Alec Bohm and Aaron Nola were activated from the IL to make their returns. For Bohm, it’s his first game in almost exactly one month, with his last game being July 18th against the Angels. Bohm hit the IL due to a fractured rib he suffered after being hit by a pitch. For Aaron Nola, it was a much longer IL trip as he was activated off of the 60-day IL. Nola made his first start in 94 days, last appearing on May 14 in a loss to the Cardinals. Unfortunately for the Phillies, Nola picked up right where he left off before his injury. After a promising first two innings, the Nationals crushed Nola for six third-inning runs. Bohm’s return would be much better, as he picked up two hits, including a three-run home run in the second inning for his ninth of the season.

Offense Explodes for 11 Runs

This is the kind of game we have been waiting for from the offense. They wasted no time putting runs on the board as they shelled Nationals’ starter Mitchell Parker. After walks from Trea Turner and Bryce Harper, Turner would score thanks to a throwing error from Brady House to make it 1-0. While they were unable to add on in the first inning, they blew the game open with a giant second inning. After a walk from Bryson Stott, another error from the Nats defense, and a single from Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber got a chance with runners on the corners and just one out. Schwarber would score Rafael Marchan with an RBI single, and Bryce Harper scored Trea Turner with another single. Alec Bohm then blew the inning open with his first home run since July 5 to make it 6-0.

The third inning nearly saw the Phillies tack on even more to their six-run lead. Singles from Harrison Bader and Bryson Stott set up Trea Turner with runners on first and second and two outs. Turner lined a single into right field, but a fantastic throw from Dylan Crews gunned down Harrison Bader at the plate to end the inning.

Nick Castellanos set the Phillies up with an opportunity to score again in the fourth inning. Castellanos shot a ground-rule double over the left field wall, putting two runners in scoring position. After Harrison Bader worked a walk, it was bases loaded for Weston Wilson. Wilson gave the Phillies the lead right back with a two-run single to make it 8-6.

After a quiet fifth inning, Castellanos left his mark on the game yet again by blasting a solo home run to boost the lead up to three. Hopefully the great game from Castellanos can help him break out of the nasty slump he’s been mired in since the All-Star break. The offense, however, wasn’t finished. An RBI single from Bryce Harper and sacrifice fly from Harrison Bader netted the Phillies two crucial insurance runs in the eighth inning.

What at the time felt like adding onto a blowout game would become the difference maker thanks to the Nationals nearly making a comeback in the bottom of the ninth but falling two runs short.

Nola Gives up 6 Runs and Lazar Struggles

With Zack Wheeler going to the IL with a blood clot, the Phillies were hoping a rejuvenated Aaron Nola could help fill the hole in the rotation. Through the first two-plus innings of the game, things looked promising. After a leadoff single in the bottom of the first, Nola retired the next batters in order. However, the good will for Nola would end there. After getting the leadoff batter out in the third inning the Nationals piled it on. He allowed seven straight hits to the Nationals’ lineup. Shortstop CJ Abrams started the scoring with an RBI single. After then walking the bases loaded, rookie Daylen Lile added another with an RBI single of his own. Back-to-back doubles from Dylan Crews and Jose Tena allowed the Nationals to climb all the way back, tying the game at 6-6. After that Nola’s day was over after making it just 2.1 innings and allowing seven hits and six earned runs. Aaron Nola’s disaster season continues as his ERA climbs up to 6.92 after the start. Tanner Banks came on to relieve Nola with just one out in the second inning. Banks, who has quietly been having a great season, took care of business, getting the Phillies out of the inning to stop the bleeding. Banks would pitch the fourth inning as well, allowing just one hit and no runs. After a rocky start to the year, Banks has turned his season around since June 1. In 27 appearances since then, Banks has an ERA of 2.39 and has been one of the more reliable left-handed relievers in all of baseball. Joe Ross came on in the fifth inning. tasked with protecting an 8-6 lead. Ross sent the Nationals down in order in the 5th inning but would run into trouble in the sixth after allowing a leadoff double. While Ross did get the next two batters out, a two-out walk sparked a pitching change as Matt Strahm took over. Strahm got out of the inning by striking out CJ Abrams and would also pitch a 1-2-3 seventh inning. With the lead now up to 11-6 Max Lazar was called upon to pitch the eighth. Lazar put up an efficient inning, setting the Nats down in order. Lazar, however, would struggle mightily when tasked with closing out the ninth inning. Lazar nearly let the Nationals tie the game, giving up a 3-run homer to Paul DeJong to cut the lead down to 11-9. After immediately giving up a double to Daylen Lile, the Phillies brought on Jhoan Duran to stop the bleeding and close out the win. Duran would put an end to the chaos, closing out the 11-9 win and lowering his ERA to 1.83.

Ethan Whitney

Ethan is a writer for Philly Sports Reports and a Color Commentator for Rally Sports Network. He has been a massive fan of all Philly Sports for as long as he can remember and wants to share that passion with the world. He is looking for a long career in the sports media sphere.

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