Nola Picks Up Win Number Five
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 8/19/2026 –
Coming into this game the Phillies were on a few streaks. The winning streak, run scoring streak, and strong pitching performances by starter Aaron Nola. Two continue as the consecutive win streak reaches six games, and Nola turned in another strong performance as the Phillies sweep the three game series with the Miami Marlins 4 – 1. Philadelphia second baseman Luis Arraez gave the team enough offense hitting a two-run home run to right center field in the bottom of the third inning. It was his sixth of the season.
The broken streak was the Phillies scoring six or more runs that lasted five games.
In this game Nola tied his season-best going 7 innings giving up a single earned run, striking out 8 batters en route to his 5th win, second consecutive. The right hander threw 100 pitches 68 for strikes. This game followed his strong outing in the Field of Dreams Game.
“Lately I’ve been feeling pretty good body and arm,” said Nola. “The arm’s been feeling pretty good, and hope I can keep it up and keep having good work weeks.”
Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara took the loss to drop his record to 13 – 8.
Nola Gets Through a tough Sixth Inning
Nola gave up the run in the sixth inning on a home run by Marlins third baseman Javier Sanoja. The next two batters Otto Lopez and Xavier Edwards got on base. Earlier in the season hatt would spell trouble for the Phillies starter. This time Nola would bear down and end the inning by striking out Griffin Conine and Heriberto Hernandez. He would come out to pitch a one-two-three seventh inning.
“It’s been awhile since I’ve been in the seventh,” Nola said. “That was good to get through seven there. Keep the game with one for the team, and only get two bullpen guys out there.”
“Just felt like he was throwing the ball good,” said Phillies Manager Don Mattingly on why he sent Nola out for the seventh inning. “His pitch count was decent. It didn’t look like his stuff was dropping off that inning. And he was throwing strikes.”
Phillies Took the Lead and Got Insurance
Philadelphia scratched out a 1 – 0 lead in the second inning. With two outs and Arraez on first the team would get three straight singles by Brandon Marsh, Justin Crawford, and Garrett Stubbs. The Stubbs single to short center field plated Arraez.
The 3 – 1 advantage held. Then in the 7th the home team got insurance. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber beat out a fielders choice. He would need his legs on the next play. Shortstop Trea Turner doubled to deep center. Schwarber circled the bases. On the play at the plate he was called out, but Schwarber asked for a replay which showed Marlins catcher Joe Mack did not tag him. The call was reversed and the 4th run went on the scoreboard.
In the eighth Miami had two runners on against reliever Johnathan Bowlan. Edwards hit a long fly to left that forced Brandon Marsh to go to the wall. The Phillies outfielder caught it. Bowlan struck out Conine to end the inning.
Johan Duran came in to pitch the ninth to get his 28th save.
What the Numbers Say
Earlier in the month Miami swept Philadelphia in Florida. This time the Phillies got their revenge.
The six-game winning streak is the longest by the Phils this season.
Arraez went 2 for 4 at the plate scoring twice and drove in 2 runs. Stubs was 2 for 3 with an RBI.
Nola improved his record to 5 – 9. He has 114 wins as a Phillie. With the win he tied Cole Hamels for sixth place on the all-time franchise career-win total.
Standings and Up Next
The Phillies (70 – 58) are 2 games up over the Padres for the National League second wild card spot. And have moved to within 4.5 games of first place Braves in the East.
After a day off the St. Louis Cardinals come to town for a three-game series. St. Louis is three games in back of San Diego for the third and last wild card spot, but also trail Arizona by a game. Another important series for the Fightin’ Phils.
“You win, you pick up a game,” Mattingly said. “It’s still day to day. This thing changes so fast. We’re playing good right now, but things change so fast.”
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
Be the first to comment