Aaron Nola threw a four-hit shutout, marking his fourth time keeping the opposing team scoreless in his Major League Baseball career. The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the struggling New York Mets 4-0 on Tuesday to wrap up a two-game series sweep.
“He was excellent. He had everything working for him. His fastball was on target. The curveball was particularly effective. He mixed up his speeds well, inducing soft contact,” remarked Phillies manager Rob Thomson. “He was very effective.”
The Phillies scored two runs in the third inning against Mets starter Jose Buttó, with one run coming from a hit by pitch and another from a bases-loaded walk. Bryson Stott added a run-scoring single in the ninth inning, while Alec Bohm contributed with a double that brought home a run, finishing the game with two RBIs.
Nola (5-2) took care of the pitching duties, throwing 73 of his 109 pitches for strikes. It was his sixth complete game in his career and his first since shutting out Cincinnati with five hits in August 2022. He struck out eight batters and issued no walks. This season, it was the third time in nine starts that he lasted at least eight innings.
“I felt like my fastball had a bit more zip than in previous outings. That definitely helped. Plus, I felt my command was better,” Nola commented.
Despite allowing a bloop double and a single in the ninth, Nola managed to retire Francisco Lindor on a routine flyball with runners at the corners, sealing the victory. The Phillies’ sixth shutout tied them with Cleveland and Boston for the most in the majors.
With this win, the Phillies improved their league-leading record to 30-13 and secured their first series sweep at Citi Field since April 2013. They have now either won or tied all 12 of their series since April 5, marking the team’s best streak since August 1994 to June 1995, where they accomplished the feat in 13 series.
