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Tonight the Phillies made their 6-1 win look effortless. And damn, it was a pleasure.
Aaron Nola started and he was otherworldly. He allowed one home run, a second inning solo shot, and otherwise he was nearly unhittable. From the third to the sixth inning, he struck out eight of nine batters. And that was after striking out no one the first time through the order. It was absolutely glorious.
Nola struck out 8 of the last 9 Brewers he faced until Thames' two-out single in 6th. The movement on a bunch of his pitches -- unhittable: pic.twitter.com/eYQVHCUFjb
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) July 22, 2017
He went seven innings, allowed five hits, one run, and struck out nine. He is wonderful and we are all so lucky that he’s here. And he’s not just here, he’s KILLING IT. Need proof? Meghan Montemurro would like to help you with that.
Aaron Nola is rolling: In last six starts, including tonight vs Brewers, he's posted a 1.70 ERA (eight runs in 42.1 IP) with 50 Ks & 13 BBs.
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) July 22, 2017
The Phillies, meanwhile, backed him up with solid offense. Six runs on eight hits, and a lot of dudes got in the action. Cesar Hernandez didn’t get a hit, but he walked twice. And he walked to lead off the game, which perfectly set up Freddy Galvis to hit a monster bomb of a home run.
Freddy Galvis cranks a two-run home run to right field to give the Phillies an early 2-0 lead in the 1st inning!!! #GoPhils pic.twitter.com/BlkdGZjmcA
— TheRenderMLB (@TheRenderMLB) July 21, 2017
It put the Phillies ahead 2-0 in the first inning, and those two runs are all they’d need to win the game.
That wasn’t all though. Nick Williams, Daniel Nava, Maikel Franco, and Odubel Herrera all had one hit tonight. But I’m forgetting someone... who could it be...
Oh yeah! Tommy Joseph!
A much-needed two-run double for Joseph. It's only the 2nd time since June 23 -- a span of 21 games -- he's had a multi-RBI game. #Phillies
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) July 22, 2017
Because we might be the only ones who care about Tommy’s RBI double, there isn’t a video of it on Twitter. But I did find this glorious gem from the Phillies’ Spanish language interpreter, Diego.
NOT ALL SHOWERS ARE WET: Andrés Blanco delivers sunflower seeds shower all over @_TommyJoseph_ to celebrate #Phillies victory tonight ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/J8U9rlkWmB
— Diego Ettedgui Lacau (@diegoettedgui) July 22, 2017
Seriously, that is amazing.
Despite Aaron Nola, Ferddy Galvis (yeah I know how I spelled it), and Tommy Joseph, I thought I’d save this closing part of my recap for some prime advertising.
Someone please trade for Pat Neshek.
He’s the most valuable non-future committed trade piece the Phillies have had in YEARS. Do you need convincing, MLB teams? ALLOW ME TO HELP YOU.
Neshek with two more strikeouts tonight in another scoreless inning. Lowers his ERA to 1.14 & gives him 43 Ks/5 BB in 39.1 IP. #Phillies
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) July 22, 2017
Neshek's thrived predominately as Phillies' 7th-inning guy & has proven he can get LH out too. Would be solid add for any contending team.
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) July 22, 2017
Neshek's 22 consecutive scoreless appearances at home (20.2 IP) are now the most by a Phillies reliever to start a season since 1913.
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) July 22, 2017
NOW TRADE FOR HIM!
Ahem.
The Phillies won, Aaron Nola was awesome, Tommy Joseph possibly broke his slump, and Pat Neshek somehow became even more valuable on the open market. All in all, tonight was a great game.