ATLANTA – Aaron Nola wanted to finish what he started Thursday night, but the Philadelphia Phillies veteran knew he was on a short leash as he walked to the mound to begin the bottom of the ninth inning at Truist Park.
“I always want to throw a complete game, right?” he said. “But I’m glad the more innings I can throw, the better. The win obviously is huge. It’s definitely more important.”
Nola struck out 10 batters while holding the Atlanta Braves scoreless into the ninth inning for his first victory since opening day, leading the Phillies to a 4-1 victory that prevented the World Series champions from posting their first three-game winning streak this season.
Philadelphia had lost each of Nola’s previous eight starts, but he had a 3.69 ERA over that stretch. He did little wrong against the Braves, allowing one run and five hits in 8 1/3 innings.
Nola (2-4) had lost four straight starts at Truist Park and entered with a 6.60 ERA with eight homers allowed over his previous six starts in Atlanta.