One day removed from Zack Wheeler tossing an absolute gem in the Phillies’ 12-1 victory over the Cardinals, Aaron Nola took the mound yesterday at Citizens Bank Park looking to deliver the Phillies a St. Louis sweep. 

Nola, who has been everything but consistent this season, delivered for the Phillies, throwing seven scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and a walk while striking out nine. 

Vintage Aaron Nola Performance vs Cardinals

After Nola coughed up a leadoff double in the top of the first inning, he closed the doors on the Cardinals, retiring 13 straight batters before allowing a walk in the fifth inning. His nine strikeouts yesterday moved him into a tie for fifth place with Curt Schilling for 5th place on the Phillies all-time strikeout list with 1,554th career K’s.

Yesterday might not have seemed like an important game given the fact that the St. Louis Cardinals are horrible this year, however to complete the sweep against an inferior opponent with a dominant performance from Aaron Nola, who has struggled this season, as the Phillies schedule is about to move into September is crucial. 

If Nola can turn things around over the final 32 games of the season, then the Phillies are going to be a PROBLEM for any team they face in the postseason.

At the plate, the Phillies were gifted a leadoff home run from Kyle Schwarber in the first inning. 

Kyle Schwarber Leadoff Home Run

Trea Turner would plate another run on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth that scored Johan Rojas and Bryce Harper added an RBI single in the seventh to give the Phillies a 3-0 victory. 

At the Plate

• Kyle Schwarber: 1-4, RBI R 
• Trea Turner: 1-4, RBI, R
• Nick Castellanos: 1-4
• Bryce Harper: 1-3, RBI, BB
• JT Realmuto: 2-4
• Johan Rojas: 3-3, R

Phillies Hunt for Red October

Yesterday marked the first regular season sweep of the Cardinals since 2006. With 32 games left on the schedule, the Phillies maintain a 3.5 game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks for the No. 1 NL Wild Card spot. 

Tonight, Taijuan Walker will take the mound against the Los Angeles Angels at Citizens Bank Park. 

Join The Chase