Phillies’ Nola Tallies 10th Win in Defeat of White Sox

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Playing in their 110th game of the 2019 season, the Philadelphia Phillies (58-52) edged the Chicago White Sox (47-61), 3-2, in the second of a three-game set Saturday evening at Citizens Bank Park.

A pre-game ceremony that saw the induction of Bobby Abreu into the Phillies Wall of Fame preceded another stellar outing from Phillies ace RHP Aaron Nola — his seventh quality start out of his last nine starts overall since June 21. Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins supplied two-thirds of the Phillies' offense and half their four overall hits, homering back-to-back in the fourth — with each also being their 100th hits this season.

With the victory, Nola earned his 10th win and improved to 19-6 in his career when he receives three-to-five supporting runs, while Nick Pivetta earned his first career save. The Phillies offense produced just four hits, whereas the White Sox' produced five.

The first runs of the game came in the fourth; in the top-half of the frame, right fielder and cleanup hitter Jon Jay hit a two-out RBI double to right center for the game's first run. In the latter-half, Harper and Hoskins went back-to-back, also with two out, putting the Phillies on top, 2-1. Both their home runs went a distance of 406 feet.

The White Sox threatened in the seventh; after a one-out infield single, shortstop Tim Anderson doubled to deep right to put two runners in scoring position. Second baseman Yolmer Sanchez attempted a suicide squeeze bunt to notch the game at two, but a successful Hoskins scoop to catcher Andrew Knapp foiled the attempt. Nola then struck out the subsequent batter swinging, keeping the game 2-1 in favor of the Phillies.

The Phillies added a much-needed insurance run in the seventh. With the bases loaded and one out — following an Adam Haseley walk, Maikel Franco single, Andrew Knapp walk and J.T. Realmuto pinch-hit fly out in place of Nola — Cesar Hernandez grounded into a fielder's choice, scoring the runner from third. Jean Segura then was hit by a pitch to reload the bases, however Harper grounded out to first, ending the rally.

Nola allowed just one run, three hits and two walks through seven solid innings, striking out 10 total batters on 94 pitches and 66 strikes. Pivetta entered the game in relief and tossed two innings, allowing one unearned run on 42 pitches, en route to the save.

Game  Notes:

• The White Sox have lost 17 of their last 22 games.
• Nola logged his fourth double-digit strikeout game of the season; he has a 1.91 ERA in his last nine starts.
• After using six relievers and a position player for two innings in Friday's 4-3, 15-inning loss, the Phillies needed only one reliever in Saturday's win.
• Eight of Harper's 19 home runs this season have come during Nola starts, notes NBC Sports Philadelphia's Corey Seidman.
• Nola and White Sox starter Ross Detwiler each retired their first nine batters faced. Detwiler's final line: 5 2/3 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 6 SO, 2 HR, 78 pitches, 54 strikes
• Former Phillies prospect Jimmy Cordero tossed a scoreless 1/3 inning and allowed a walk for the White Sox in the sixth. Cordero came to the Phillies' minor-league system in July 2015 as part of the Ben Revere trade, however the right-hander was later dealt to the Washington Nationals in November 2016. Cordero would make his MLB debut with the Nationals in 2018.
• Pivetta pitched in back-to-back days for the first time of his career; he is the first Phillies pitcher to throw 40-plus pitches and record a save in a three-run game or less since Tim Worrell in 2004, notes The Philadelphia Inquirer's Matt Breen.

What's Next:

• Sunday, August 4, 2019: vs. Chicago White Sox, 1:05 p.m.
  • Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
  • RHP Reynaldo Lopez (5-9, 5.43 ERA) vs. LHP Drew Smyly (2-5, 6.85 ERA)
  • TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP