After a single by Lars Nootbaar put runners on the corners with no outs, Nola worked back to back strikeouts. Then, after getting ahead 0-1 to Nolan Arenado, eight of Nola’s next nine pitches were balls that loaded the bases and walked in the second run.
It was the Phillies’ first shutout of the season and first time dropping two games in a row.
The Phils had five baserunners all night: Bryce Harper and Brandon Marsh walked; Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos all singled. Jose Ruiz, Carlos Hernandez and Tanner Banks combined for three scoreless innings in relief of Nola.
Middle game of the series is tomorrow afternoon as Cristopher Sanchez faces off against Miles Mikolas.
The experiment to kick start the offense by placing Bryson Stott in the leadoff spot didn’t go as planned as the Philadelphia Phillies (8-5) managed just three hits in their 2-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals (6-7) on Friday night.
The Cardinals were 1-13 with runners in scoring position and left 11 men on base but the Phillies offense was inert following their all-nighter against the Braves.
Aaron Nola worked out of multiple jams and racked up seven strikeouts but he struggled at times with his velocity and command, issuing four walks.
The Cards scored both of their runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Cards’ shortstop, Thomas Saggese, led off with an infield single and came home to score on a double by catcher, Yohel Pozo.
After a late night in Atlanta, the Phillies couldn't get anything going as they were blanked by the Cards in the series opener.
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