Categories: 2021 Postgame Recaps

Rain delay ruins gem from Aaron Nola, Phillies fall to Dodgers

Aaron Nola lost out on a chance to go deep in Tuesday’s game. (Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire)

Final Score: Dodgers 5, Phillies 0

Corey Seager homered, A.J. Pollock had a 2-run single and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat Philadelphia 5-0 to snap the Phillies 8-game winning streak Tuesday night.

Early on, Tuesday’s tilt between the two postseason contenders appeared as though it would be a pitcher’s duel between Aaron Nola and Max Scherzer. Instead, a rain delay that lasted one hour and 44 minutes knocked both out of the game prematurely, Nola after four innings and Scherzer after just 3 ⅓. Neither had allowed a run before a storm cell hit Citizens Bank Park.

Once the rain subsided, the Dodgers bats caught fire.

Seager hit a solo home run off of Phillies reliever JD Hammer in the bottom of the fifth inning to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead:

An inning later, Will Smith drove in a run on an RBI single, with Pollock plating two more runs later in the inning with a single of his own. All three runs surrendered in the top of the sixth inning were charged to the line of Matt Moore:

All-Star Max Muncy tagged Phillies reliever Mauricio Llovera for a solo home run in the top of the ninth inning, increasing the Dodgers lead to 5-0, which ended up being the final score.

While the Phillies bullpen struggled in relief of Nola, the Dodgers used Alex Vesia, Corey Knebel, Justin Bruihl, Brusdar Graterol, Blake Treinen and Conner Greene to preserve a shutout of the Phillies.

The Dodgers improved to 68-45 with Tuesday’s victory, further strengthening their grip on the top Wild Card spot in the National League.

Even with the loss, the Phillies remain in first place in the National League East, as they look to reach the postseason for the first time since 2011. However, Monday’s loss coupled with an Atlanta Braves win over the Cincinnati Reds cut the Phillies lead in the division to just one game.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

Max Scherzer’s first start as a member of the Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park was going about how most of his games as a member of the Washington Nationals did — the three-time Cy Young Award winner looked like he’d be hard-pressed to give up a single run. Scherzer struck out six batters, while allowing three hits over 3 1/3 innings.
Aaron Nola looked en route to one of his best starts of his career before the rain delay prematurely ended his evening. The 28-year-old struck out seven Dodgers hitters in four innings, while allowing just one hit.

Phillies Nugget Of The Game

Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper entered the evening with the second-best odds to win the National League MVP, but was held hitless in the series-opening game against the Dodgers.

Meanwhile, Turner has shifted to second base since being traded from the Washington Nationals, but the 28-year-old has continued to be an offensive force. Hitting at the top of Dave Roberts’ order Tuesday, Turner went 2-5, with a double and a run scored. On the season, Turner is now slashing .322/.370/.519.

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