Stellar Nola Start Pushes Phillies To Series Victory Over Marlins

The Phillies hot streak continues with a 1-0 win over the Miami Marlins on Monday night, earning their second straight series victory, and 6th victory in their last 7 games.

The player of the game is Aaron Nola, undoubtedly. With pressure to continue the hot streak the Phillies, specifically the rotation, have been on, he shoved, throwing 6 shutout innings, and his stuff was working all night. He was hitting his spots, keeping the Marlins at bay, and struck out 5 while walking nine. He had 8 swings and misses on the night, 7 of which were on his knuckle-curve; it was working phenomenally. Not just his knuckle-curve, but his sinker kept Marlins hitters guessing throughout the game, also. This was easily his best start of the season, and it was needed as the offense was limited all night.

Only 4 Phillies hitters got on base Monday night. 3 of those being hitters 3-5, collecting 6 of the team’s 7 hits, 3 of which came from Bryce Harper. He broke the scoreless tie in the 3rd inning with a solo home run, a solo homer that ended up being the game-winning run. He wasn’t done there as he collected a double and single through the rest of the way. Harper is hitting .320 with a 1.033 OPS in his last 7 games. Adolis Garcia had himself a solid night, also, by collecting 2 hits.

The bullpen did their job as well and closed the door through the last 3 innings. Tanner Banks, Jose Alvarado, and Brad Keller all pitched scoreless innings. Their stuff looked good, especially Alvardo, and they held the Marlins in check. Through the final 3 innings of Monday night’s win, the bullpen let only 2 Marlins on base. Banks had a bounce-back appearance, while he has been struggling as a whole through the season; a clean appearance like this certainly can help his confidence. It also might have benefited him that he shaved his mustache prior to Monday’s game, and in a sport that is known for superstitions, it might have worked.

Banks was not the only reliever with a bounce back; Alvarado’s stuff looked especially good, showing a dominance Monday night that was similar to Alvarado’s of seasons past. He got the Phillies through the 8th inning swiftly and easily. Leadoff hitter Esteury Ruiz popped out on 2 pitches, Connor Norby flew out on 3, and Jakob Marsee struck out on 3 straight sinkers that averaged 99 mph.

Keller got the save after pitching a somewhat clean inning in the 9th. He gave up a lead-off single, then forced a double play, allowed another single, then slammed the door on the Marlins with a groundout. An added positive for the Phillies: their true closer, Jhoan Duran, is set to be activated from the injured list on Tuesday.

The bullpen had arguably their best performance during this stretch, Nola had his best start, and all four pitchers Monday night were pitchers who have had their struggles to start the year, but pitched very well to help hold on to the small lead. The pitching as a whole on Monday was a story of bounce backs, which has been the story of the Don Mattingly era, and it has been sweet to see with now 2 straight series victories.

Christopher DeMaio

Christopher is a Delaware County Native and a graduate of Devon Preparatory School, class of 2025. He is currently attending University and is in his second semester. Chris, growing up playing since the age of 4, fell in love with his hometown Phillies and continues that love with listening to sports radio, reading articles, writing for Philly Sports Reports’ Phillies team, and, of course, watching the Phils.

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