Nola continues strong season with eight-inning gem

PHILADELPHIA » Ever trying to solidify the bottom of their pitching staff, the Phillies were reminded again Tuesday how strong they were at the top.

Continuing a season that would have made him an AllStar contender under normal circumstances, Aaron Nola was dominant in a 6-0 victory over the Nationals.

Outperforming Washington starter Patrick Corbin, Nola worked eight innings, allowing two hits, striking out nine and walking three. He has had 48 strikeouts and walked 10 hitters this season.

In facing only 28 batters, Nola threw 76 of his 113 pitches for strikes before giving way to Hector Neris. In a non-save situation, Neris allowed two hits in a scoreless ninth.

Nola allowed only a double to Luis Garcia in the third and a single to Yan Gomes in the fifth to improve to 4-2.

“You could see his stuff was really good right from the beginning,” Joe Girardi said. “He was great tonight, and our bullpen really needed it, too. So it was big for us.”

••• Finally having passed the required virus tests, Ranger Suarez joined the Phillies Monday for the first time all season.

“I was on that list,” Suarez said. “I was dizzy for two or three days, the only symptoms I had. That’s it.”

Suarez went about a month without pitching, was recently conditioned in Allentown, and said he feels fine. According to Girardi, Suarez had difficulty passing his COVID-19 test.

“It was definitely frustrating, but it was not as frustrating as you would imagine because it was something I couldn’t control,” Suarez said. “I was more worried than I was frustrated because I didn’t know what to expect from this illness. At the end,

I was told there was nothing I could do, so I would just follow the advice I was given and that’s it.”

Scheduled for five doubleheaders in September, the Phils will be looking for pitchers who can provide length. Suarez is confident that he is fit for that responsibility.

“I feel really good right now, and that’s why I’m here,” he said. “So I just want to help the team in any way I can.”

In the bullpen, the lefthanded Suarez will replace Adam Morgan. To make room on the 28-man roster for David Phelps, Morgan was sent to the 10-day IL, retroactive to Aug. 31, with a tired shoulder.

Though Suarez’s absence was strictly virus-related, he also had a “little leg issue,” according to Girardi.

Suarez, 23, was 6-1 with a 3.14 ERA last season.

••• Brandon Workman’s first six games with the Phillies have not been without stress. He has allowed 12 hits in 6.1 innings, walked four and gone 0-1. Yet he has had eight strikeouts and has collected three saves.

“I think he has the ability to get big outs,” Girardi said. “That’s what I think. And he’s a strikeout guy. I know he hasn’t pitched his best. But I think he’s close to really, really running off a streak. I feel that in him.

“I think it’s a matter of location. He has left some curveballs up. And he does throw his curveball up for strikes at times. But he’s kind have got that one in-between that’s hurt him a little bit. He’s got to iron some things out.”

•••

In the first inning, Bryce Harper stole his 16th consecutive base without being caught. He last was caught stealing June 30, 2019, in Miami. Chase Utley, with 21, has the Phillies’ consecutive stolen-base record.