Aaron Nola tosses eight strong for Phillies
Cincinnati starter Homer Bailey was spectacular through six innings, but Aaron Nola was equally masterful tossing eight frames as the Phillies topped the Reds on Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park, 6-1.

The Reds carried a 1-0 advantage into the sixth before Cesar Hernandez notched the Phillies first hit of the night off Bailey via a single to right field and before eventually scoring the tying run on an RBI-double by Odubel Herrera.

Once Bailey exited prior to the seventh the Phillies bats came alive with Nick Williams ripping a double to open the frame before coming around to give the Phillies a 2-1 lead via a single by J.P. Crawford.

Crawford had been 1-for-25 on the season before the single.

"I've been getting around on the ball instead of sticking through it," Crawford said afterward. "It felt good, it was a big confidence booster."



Scott Kingery crushed a grand slam in the eighth to put the contest out of reach.

The story of the night though was Nola, surrendering just one run on three hits over eight stellar innings. He delivered an ace-like performance and that's what the Phillies are expecting of him this season. He also tossed 103 pitches.

"One of the things we're noticing is he gets stronger as the game matures," said Phillies manager Gabe Kapler (see video). "Really awesome to see him attack. As the game got older he got better and better with command of his curveball and really put the ball wherever he wanted."

The Phillies have now won four of five and enter Wednesday sitting at the .500.

Did You Know?
Nola's effort marked the first time since September of 2017 that a Phillies' starter reached the eighth inning.

What's Next
The Phillies go for a series sweep Wednesday night as Nick Pivetta looks to build off last week's solid start where he collected nine strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.
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Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PGordonPBR

BY PATRICK GORDON
Managing Editor
pgordon@philadelphiabaseballreview.com

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