Aaron Nola turns back the clock with dominant outing in Phillies’ shutout win over Mets
Nola threw 81 pitches over seven innings — a model of efficiency and effectiveness — in a 3-0 victory over the Mets. In his last 10 starts, he has a 2.10 ERA in 60 innings.
NEW YORK — Aaron Nola once stood on the mound here and struck out 10 consecutive batters, tying a major-league record set by a Hall of Famer with a 10-foot tall statue outside the main gate of this ballpark.
Just in case anyone forgot who Nola is.
That was a long time ago — June 25, 2021, to be exact. Nola is 33 now, with as mileage on his iron right arm as any pitcher in the sport. And until about a week ago, he was less essential to the entire Phillies’ operation.
But with nine games to go in the season, a playoff spot within reach, and star lefty Jesús Luzardo shut down by an inflamed shoulder, the spotlight is back on the dean of the Phillies.
» READ MORE: José Urquidy claimed off waivers, will be available to pitch for Phillies on Friday vs. Mets
What a time, then, for Nola to turn back the clock, too.
Did you see what happened Thursday night? Nola faced the minimum through five innings and didn’t yield a hit until after there was one out in the sixth. He threw 81 pitches over seven innings — a model of efficiency and effectiveness — in a 3-0 victory over the Mets.
It was like 2022 all over again.
And here’s the thing: It wasn’t a one-off. Quietly, as is his nature, Nola has pitched like this for six weeks, beginning with a hard-luck 1-0 loss July 28 in Miami. In his last 10 starts, he has a 2.10 ERA in 60 innings.
These are the Phillies, though, so it couldn’t be all good news. Jonathan Bowlan, who has emerged as the main setup reliever, took over from Nola and left in the eighth inning with what the Phillies termed “tightness” in his right groin.
But in winning back-to-back games for the first time since a six-game roll at the end of August, the Phillies (85-68) pulled into a tie with the idle Cubs for the top National League wild card.
Their magic number to clinch a playoff spot is down to five. It would be their fifth consecutive postseason appearance, the chances of which seemed dim only six months ago when they got off to a 9-19 start that cost manager Rob Thomson his job.
» READ MORE: Jesús Luzardo ‘definitely concerned’ as inflamed left shoulder lands him on the injured list
As much as any player, Nola symbolizes the turnaround.
Consider: Through June, he had a 6.04 ERA — after an injury-plagued 2025 season in which he finished with a career-worst 6.01 mark. It was fair to wonder if Nola, signed through 2030 for $24.57 million per year, was cooked.
But after a decade of getting hitters out by spinning his curveball, burying his sinker, and pounding the strike zone, Nola altered his pattern. In particular, he threw more changeups, especially to right-handed hitters.
Nola made quick work of the Mets. Literally. He threw 11 pitches in the first inning, seven in the second, and 11 in the third. Through five innings, he gave up only a pair of one-out walks to Juan Soto — and erased him with a pickoff in the first inning and a double play in the fourth.
For the third time in six starts, Nola completed seven innings. He scattered three hits and three walks.
The Phillies gave Nola a lead with Trea Turner’s hustle in the fifth inning. With the bases loaded, Turner slid into second base ahead of a throw on what would’ve been an inning-ending fielder’s choice. After being called out on the field, the Phillies got the call overturned, enabling a run to score.
With runs at a premium, the Phillies played small ball and moved runners. They dropped down three sacrifice bunts and scored in the seventh and eighth innings on sacrifice flies.
The game was stopped in the sixth inning when Mets first baseman Jared Young took a knee to the head from starter Nolan McLean, who ran to cover the base on a grounder. Young appeared to be knocked out. He was placed on a stretcher and carted off the field.
Young raised a thumb to the crowd. The Mets announced that he had feeling in his extremities and was taken to the hospital for further examination.
The Phillies and Braves are set to square off again this weekend in Atlanta, so it's the perfect time to check in with Jeff Francoeur, who played for both teams and calls Braves games on TV and radio. Francoeur joined Phillies Extra to help break down the race for NL East supremacy. Watch here.
You can also subscribe to the podcast version of Phillies Extra on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Previous episodes: Luke Murton | Mike Hazen | Tony Gwynn Jr. | Kevin Stocker | Bobby Dickerson | Jim Bowden | John Middleton | Ryan Howard | Dan Baker | Ricky Bottalico
