The Philadelphia Phillies won their third straight game on Friday night, taking down the Brewers 6-1. Their record improves to 33-61.
On The Mound
- Once again, Aaron Nola anchored the team with seven strong innings, allowing just one run on five hits and two walks while striking out nine.
- Pat Neshek pitched a scoreless eighth.
- Hector Neris got some work in with a scoreless ninth.
At The Plate
- The offense put up six runs on eight hits.
- Freddy Galvis got things going with a two-run homer in the first inning.
- Galvis drove in another run in the sixth.
- Tommy Joseph had a two-run double in the sixth inning, going 1-4 on the night.
- Cesar Hernandez went 0-2 with two walks, including one with the bases loaded in the sixth.
- Nick Williams finally cooled off a bit, going 1-4 with a single.
- Maikel Franco went 1-4 with a single.
- Odubel Herrera went 1-3 with a single and a walk.
- Daniel Nava started in left, going 1-2 with a double and a walk.
- Andrew Knapp went 1-3 with a walk.
Final Thoughts
The Phillies are certainly off to a nice start in the second half of the season.
They’ve been a much more watchable product since calling up Nick Williams, and getting Cesar Hernandez back in the everyday lineup has been a nice boost as well.
Aaron Nola lowered his ERA to 3.38 tonight, and at the rate he’s going, he’s going to finish the year with an ERA in the 2.00’s. That’s ace material right there.
Nola has now allowed two runs or less in six straight starts. He carries an ERA below 2.00 for the month of July. He’s had only start since the end of May where he’s given up more than three runs. When you think about how this team is going to attract major free agents over the next two years, Nola is one of the centerpieces that they have to build around. Dominating opposing lineups every fifth day can give a team a real shot in the arm, and that’s what the young righthander is doing right now.
