PHILADELPHIA – Aaron Nola got enough run support that even another dismal performance by the bullpen couldn’t ruin.
Didi Gregorius hit a grand slam, and Bryce Harper blasted a three-run shot as the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Atlanta Braves 13-8 Monday night, giving Nola his first win in nearly a year.
Nola (1-1) allowed one run on two hits and struck out 10 batters in eight innings. He threw just 89 pitches but was denied an opportunity for the first complete game of his MLB career in his 130th start. Two relievers gave up seven runs in the ninth.
“Obviously, I wanted to,” Nola said about finishing the game. “I understand where they’re coming from, for sure.”
Nola said he would have fought harder to stay in the game if it were 2-1 or 3-1. The ace right-hander was 0-5 in nine starts since his last win, on the road against the Boston Red Sox on Aug. 20, 2019.