Daily News | Strong start, weak finish dooms Phillies in 7-4 loss to the Dodgers
The Phillies scored early on Saturday, putting up more runs in their first four innings than they’d scored over their past 42, but they didn’t score enough.
The Dodgers tacked on six more runs after the fourth inning, while the Phillies were shut out after the fourth. That, coupled with a shakier and shorter performance than normal from Aaron Nola, led to a 7-4 Phillies loss, their third loss in a row. They now are 18-22 and are third in the NL East.The narrative surrounding Nola this season has been that he’s pitched well, but hasn’t received the support from the offense and the bullpen that he needs to get wins.
Then, he gave up a solo home run to Mookie Betts in the third inning. After another 1-2-3 frame in the fourth, he allowed a two-RBI double to Betts in the fifth. In the sixth, he allowed a solo home run to Will Smith, and his night was over. All of the Dodgers’ run-scoring hits off Nola came on two-strike pitches.
Nola allowed five hits, four earned runs, a walk, and the two home runs. He did, however, strike out nine Dodgers. In five of Nola’s past eight outings, he’s gone six innings or deeper. He went 5 1/3 innings on Saturday, forcing manager Joe Girardi to turn to his bullpen a little earlier than expected.Girardi went through five relievers: Brad Hand, Connor Brogdon, José Alvarado, Seranthony Domínguez, and Jeurys Familia. Hand was not able to record an out.