Not exactly the way the Philadelphia Phillies wanted to close out the first half of the season in Miami.

Aaron Nola was on the mound yesterday for the Phillies looking to enter the All-Star break with a win but unfortunately, that just didn’t happen.

Nola tossed six innings, allowing eight hits, five runs (four earned) and zero walks while striking out six.

He will end the first half of the 2023 MLB season with an 8-6 record and a 4.39 ERA. He leads the MLB in innings pitched this season and really, over the last six seasons but in a contract year I think it’s safe to say 2023 Nola has been somewhat of a disappointment.

Nola has allowed 21 home runs, two more than last season and yesterday, the long ball yet again doomed Nola, as he allowed three home runs to the Marlins in the Phillies 7-3 loss. 

Jesus Sanchez gave the Marlins an early 2-0 lead on a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning yesterday. Dane Myers then struck in the bottom of the third inning with a solo home run to put the Fish up 3-0. In the same inning, Bryan De La Cruz tagged Nola again with a solo shot of his own and our old friend Jean Segura followed with an RBI single to put Miami up 5-0.

Just like that, the Phillies were in a 5-0 hole and could really never recover.

Edmundo Sosa put the Phillies on the board with a two-run home run in the top of the fifth inning.

Edmundo Sosa 2-Run Home Run

The Marlins responded by adding two more runs in the bottom of the seventh and eighth inning. 
Bryson Stott added a run in the top of the ninth before the game ultimately ended in a 7-3 loss for the Phillies.

Quick Note on Stotty: Bryson Stott is the first Phillie since Shane Victorino in 2009 with at least 100 hits and 15 stolen bases before the All-Star break.

Losing two straight to the Miami Marlins is obviously not how you wanted to end the season, but overall it was a strong finish to the first half after a rough beginning to the 2023 MLB season.

The Phillies will head into the All-Star break at 48-41 on the season. After holding a Wild Card spot for the majority of the week, they have called a half-game out of the final Wild Card spot, now held by the San Francisco Giants.

Still, the Phillies’ 23-9 record is the second-best record since June 3rd and they have definitely turned things around over the past five weeks after a slow start this season.

The Phillies are on pace for the same exact record they had last season (87-75) when they made the postseason in the third and final Wild Card spot.

Read More About The Phillies First Half Here >>

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