AP

Nola pitches shutout ball into 9th, Phillies beat Braves 4-1

May 26, 2022, 7:23 AM | Updated: 8:38 pm

Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi removes starting pitcher Aaron Nola, right, for relief pi...

Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi removes starting pitcher Aaron Nola, right, for relief pitcher Corey Knebel during the ninth inning of the team's baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)

(AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)


              Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi removes starting pitcher Aaron Nola, right, for relief pitcher Corey Knebel during the ninth inning of the team's baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
            
              Atlanta Braves' Matt Olson (28) scores in the ninth inning of the team's baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
            
              Atlanta Braves center fielder Guillermo Heredia almost catches a long fly ball by Philadelphia Phillies' Nick Castellanos, before losing it as he hit the wall, allowing Bryce Harper to score during the eighth inning of a baseball game Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
            
              Atlanta Braves center fielder Guillermo Heredia loses the ball after hitting the wall while trying to catch a ball hit by Philadelphia Phillies' Nick Castellanos during the eighth inning of a baseball game Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
            
              Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola gets high-fives in the dugout after going 8 1/3 innings against the Atlanta Braves in a baseball game Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
            
              Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto hugs relief pitcher Corey Knebel (23) after the team's win in a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
            
              Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Corey Knebel throws during the ninth inning of the team's baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
            
              Philadelphia Phillies' Odubel Herrera (37) gestures after hitting a two-run double against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning of a baseball game Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
            
              Atlanta Braves third base coach Ron Washington (37) speaks with Dansby Swanson (7) during the third inning of the team's baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
            
              Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins (17) catches the ball as Atlanta Braves' Dansby Swanson (7) gets back to first on a pickoff attempt during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
            
              Atlanta Braves pitching coach Rick Kranitz (39) visits the mound with shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) and catcher Travis d'Arnaud (16) during the seventh inning of the team's baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Atlanta. Pitcher Kyle Wright was removed later in the inning. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
            
              Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Will Smith watches a throw during the seventh inning of the team's baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
            
              Philadelphia Phillies Kyle Schwarber check swings at the plate during the second inning of the team's baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
            
              Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson watches as Philadelphia Phillies Odubel Herrera celebrate his two-run double during the seventh inning of a baseball game Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
            
              Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Kyle Wright (30) working in the seventh inning of the team's baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
            
              Philadelphia Phillies J.T. Realmuto (10) high-fives teammates after scoring on double by Odubel Herrera during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
            
              Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola delivers against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

ATLANTA (AP) — Aaron Nola wanted to pitch a complete game but knew he was on a short leash as he walked to the mound to begin the ninth inning.

“I always want to throw a complete game, right?” he said. “But I’m glad the more innings I can throw, the better. The win obviously is huge. It’s definitely more important.”

Nola struck out 10 while pitching shutout ball into the ninth for his first victory since opening day, leading the Philadelphia Phillies over the Atlanta Braves 4-1 on Thursday night.

J.T. Realmuto homered as the Phillies prevented the World Series champion Braves from posting their first three-game winning streak this season.

Philadelphia had lost each of Nola’s previous eight starts, but he had a 3.69 ERA over that stretch. He did little wrong against the Braves, allowing one run and five hits in 8 1/3 innings.

Nola (2-4) had lost four straight starts at Truist Park and entered with a 6.60 ERA with eight homers allowed over his previous six starts in Atlanta.

“It’s a tough place to play,” Nola said. “They’ve got a good team over there, a good fan base, but to come out with a split going to New York is pretty good. We’re tied with Atlanta now (in the NL East).”

Nola has 74 strikeouts, tied for the most in the majors with Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan. Thursday marked the eighth time in his career that he struck out at least 10 and did not issue a walk. He reached double-digit strikeouts for the 23rd time,

“We know facing Nola, if he’s on, he’s rough,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “He can locate, speed you up, slow you down, the whole thing. Looking back we had one real good opportunity all night when we had first and third.”

Nola struck out Matt Olson with runners on first and third to end the third and retired his next seven batters. Olson doubled with two outs in the sixth before Nola retired Travis d’Arnaud on a grounder.

In the ninth, Nola struck out Austin Riley before giving up a double to Olson that chased him. Nola fell two outs shy of his fourth career complete game, his third career shutout.

Nola threw 75 of 109 pitches for strikes.

“He kept his pitch count really down,” Phillies manager Joe Girardi said.

Corey Knebel got the final two outs in relief. After retiring d’Arnaud on a grounder, Knebel threw a wild pitch that scored Olson. William Contreras walked, and Adam Duvall struck out to end it.

The Braves lacked two potent bats with injuries sidelining outfielders Ronald Acuña Jr. and Marcell Ozuna, and their absences were felt as Atlanta put just five runners in scoring position.

Atlanta fell to 21-24 and is this late into a season without a three-game wnning streak for the first time since 2001.

Kyle Wright (4-3) retired his first six batters before Realmuto connected to put the Philles ahead. It was Realmuto’s third homer and traveled 414 feet.

The Phillies looked as if they would put together a big inning after Realmuto homered. Rhys Hoskins’ single loaded the bases with no out, but Wright escaped the jam by striking out Alec Bohm and getting Bryce Harper to ground into a double play.

Harper, the two-time NL MVP who entered with a .545 average, five homers, nine doubles and 13 RBIs in his prior 10 road games, finished 1 for 4. He singled in the eighth and scored from first on Nick Castellanos’ double to make it 4-0.

Wright retired 14 straight batters before Kyle Schwarber walked and Realmuto was hit by a pitch in the seventh. Wright was charged with three hits and three runs after Will Smith gave up Odúbel Herrera’s two-run double in the seventh.

Wright had gone 0-2 with a 5.56 ERA in his previous two career starts and one relief appearance against Philadelphia.

Wright has received just 16 total runs of support in his nine starts this season and has never gotten more than three runs to work with in an outing.

“This team is too good not to go on a stretch or a run,” he said. “We’ve got too much talent not to go on a run.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Acuña missed his second straight game with a grade 1 strain in his right quadriceps, but Snitker said he looked good working with the strength and conditioning staff. “That’s a good sign,” Snitker said. “He seems to be moving around nice. I think it’s more about firing up the running.” Snitker added that Acuña will not play on Friday. … Ozuna was scratched with lower abdominal tightness 45 minutes before the first pitch and was available as a pinch-hitter. Orlando Arcia took Ozuna’s spot in left. Snitker said Ozuna, who was on deck when the game ended, will play on Friday.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

The Phillies have now scored at least four runs in 13 consecutive road games, the longest such streak since a 14-game stretch dating to Aug. 30-Sept. 28, 1993.

UP NEXT

Braves RHP Ian Anderson (3-3, 4.07 ERA) will face LHP Trevor Rogers (2-5, 5.20) as Atlanta opens a three-game home series against Miami.

Philadelphia opens a three-game series at the New York Mets with RHP Bailey Falter (0-1, 3.75) facing RHP Carlos Carrasco (4-1, 3.50).

___

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

AP

Associated Press

Ex-Packer Guion gets 1 year for domestic violence assault

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Former Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Letroy Guion was sentenced to one year in jail after pleading no contest in a domestic violence assault at his home last fall. Brown County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh also ordered Guion on Tuesday to serve three years’ probation and complete a domestic […]

1 year ago

Joe Jarzynka...

Associated Press

Durant eager for Suns debut vs. Hornets after knee injury

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kevin Durant has been through quite a bit during his 15-year NBA career — but joining a new team midway through the season is a new one for the 13-time All-Star. The 34-year-old Durant doesn’t seem all that worried. Durant makes his highly anticipated Phoenix Suns debut on Wednesday night against […]

1 year ago

FILE - Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores stands on the sideline during the second half of an N...

Associated Press

Judge: NFL coach can press discrimination claims in court

NEW YORK (AP) — NFL Coach Brian Flores can pursue some of his discrimination claims against the league and its teams in court rather than through arbitration, a judge ruled Wednesday. The written decision by Judge Valerie Caproni in Manhattan was issued months after lawyers for the league tried to get the lawsuit moved to […]

1 year ago

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Alex Stalock cools off in the first period during an NHL hockey game ...

Associated Press

Kane trade reinforces hard reality of Blackhawks rebuild

CHICAGO (AP) — After days of speculation, the harsh reality of the Chicago Blackhawks’ situation was reinforced by one move in a flurry of transactions ahead of the NHL trade deadline. Showtime is over, at least in Chicago, and a seemingly bright future is, well, way off in the distance. The reverberations of Chicago’s decision […]

1 year ago

FILE -  Yves Jean-Bart, president of the Haitian Football Federation, wearing a protective face mas...

Associated Press

Disgraced ex-Haitian soccer president announces he’s back

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s former soccer federation president whose lifetime ban from sport over sexual abuse allegations was overturned last month announced Wednesday that he is reclaiming his position. Yves Jean-Bart’s defiant announcement could lead to a standoff with FIFA, which already has appointed an emergency management committee to lead the Haitian Football Association […]

1 year ago

FILE - Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers walks off the field after an NFL football game against the ...

Associated Press

Rodgers says decision on future will come ‘soon enough’

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers says he will make a decision on his future “soon enough” as the four-time MVP quarterback ponders whether to play next season and if his future remains with the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers, 39, discussed his future while speaking on an episode of the “Aubrey Marcus Podcast” that […]

1 year ago

Nola pitches shutout ball into 9th, Phillies beat Braves 4-1