Behind the arm of Aaron Nola, the Phillies have won four straight and back-to-back road games for the first time since September 5-6 of 2016. After allowing a run on two hits in the first inning, Nola was brilliant as he allowed five hits in eight strong on just 97 pitches. He located his fastball, curveball, and an occasional changeup exceptionally well. Howie Kendrick, who went 3-for-4 on the night, knotted the game at one with a solo home run to center field in the fourth. The score remained locked at one until the sixth, when Odubel Herrera smacked another double to right field scoring Cesar Hernandez, who doubled to leadoff the inning. The Phils added an insurance run in the inning when Braves’ starter Jaime Garcia
balked, scoring Herrera.
Hector Neris once again could not finish the job in the ninth inning. With runners of first and second with one out, Pete Mackanin wasted no time utilizing his best pitcher in Pat Neshek to close the deal. Neshek, who lowered his ERA to 0.82 this season, retired Adonis Garcia and Kurt Suzuki to earn the save.
Jerad Eickhoff will look to rebound from his previous outing against the Giants and keep the streak alive.
