Aaron Nola tosses a gem for the Phillies
Aaron Nola tossed seven spectacular innings on Saturday night while Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins each contributed with the long ball to lift the Phillies to a 3-2 win over the White Sox at Citizens Bank Park.

Nick Pivetta recorded the final six outs of the night to record his first career save.

"We needed that," manager Gabe Kapler said afterward speaking of the win. “I thought Noles really hit his stride in the fifth inning. He started to get really fierce,” manager Gabe Kapler said. “He actually came out early in the game with an assassin’s edge. He had a lot of velocity on the fastball and the curveball had a lot of bite to it. He looked about as physically strong as we’ve seen him look all year long.”

Nola finished the night with 10 strikeouts while surrendering one run on three hits. He now has an ERA of 2.01 over his last eight starts.

"I don't think he could've pitched any better or looked any stronger," Kapler said.

Pivetta found himself in a sticky situation in the ninth and Yolmer Sanchez drove in a run with a single, but he struck out pinch-hitter Adam Engel to cap off his 42-pitch outing.

"Can't say enough about Pivetta there," Hoskins said. "We're set up nicely now to take the series on Sunday."

Harper and Hoskins each went yard in the fourth, providing the fireworks for the Phillies. Cesar Hernandez also contributed with an RBI single.

The two clubs conclude their three-game set on Sunday with Drew Smyly facing Reynoldo Lopez.
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Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PGordonPBR

BY PATRICK GORDON
Managing Editor
pgordon@philadelphiabaseballreview.com

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