PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies needed a lengthy outing from Aaron Nola. They got it, but it wasn’t good enough as the Phillies (6-2) struggled to put up runs against Roki Sasaki and the Dodgers (9-1) bullpen in a 3-1 loss.
Nola recorded a quality start, pitching six innings and allowing three earned runs. But all three of those runs came via the long ball. The first one, a two-run shot by Kiké Hernandez in the second, made it 2-1 Los Angeles. Michael Conforto, who narrowly missed a home run in his previous at-bat, crushed a solo shot into right field to increase the Dodger lead to two. All eight earned runs Nola has allowed have come on home runs. He has surrendered a pair of long balls in each of his first two starts of the year.
Sasaki, in his first true road start as a major leaguer, had command troubles early, but was able to settle down and get the Phillies lineup to expand the strike zone. He allowed one run in the first, but retired nine straight after the first two batters, Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner, reached base safely to open the game.
The best scoring chance the Phillies had after the first came with Sasaki out and lefty reliever Anthony Banda in. J.T. Realmuto led off the inning with a walk and Bryson Stott followed up with a single. The nine-hole hitter Marsh moved the runner Realmuto over to third. The next batter Schwarber crushed a ball right at Teoscar Hernandez in right. Stott, who was off and running, was caught way off the bag and was out at first for a 9-3 double play.
Edmundo Sosa, who came into the game as a pinch hitter for Marsh in the eighth, stayed in the game in center field. It was his first appearance as an outfielder since 2023.
The Phillies and Dodgers will wrap up the three-game series on Sunday. Cristopher Sánchez will make his second start of the season. He will be opposed by right-handed pitcher Tyler Glasnow.
