3 years agoPhiladelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola allowed six runs across six innings, but still earned his ninth win of the season on Thursday versus Pittsburgh. As has been the case all year, Nola pitched significantly better than his final line indicates. He was one pitch away from escaping a bases-loaded jam in the second inning, but he gave up a bloop single. To the opposing pitcher. On an 0-2 pitch. The next batter hit an opposite-field three-run homer that barely escaped the yard. Sigh. Despite his night being soiled early, Nola buckled down and picked up eight K's and at one point retired 12 straight batters as he was absolutely cruising. He was pinch-hit for despite throwing just 80 pitches, but pinch-hitter Ronald Torreyes hit a go-ahead three-run homer, so it worked out to give Nola the win. Start him next week versus Atlanta. It's risky, but Nola is not as bad as his 4.64 ERA and he'll be a popular bounce-back candidate in 2022 drafts.--Mike Schwarzenbach - RotoBaller
Source: ESPN.com