Nola, Bruce power Phillies to 2-0 victory over Braves
ATLANTA — Aaron Nola pitched eight innings, Jay Bruce hit a two-run double and the Philadelphia Phillies spoiled Dallas Keuchel’s home debut with Atlanta, beating the Braves 2-0 on Tuesday night.
Nola (7-2) allowed four hits, struck out eight and walked three in his second consecutive scoreless outing. He threw a career-high 117 pitches before Héctor Neris finished for his 17th save in 19 chances, striking out the side.
The second-place Phillies, winners of six of eight, trimmed the Braves’ NL East lead to 4½ games in front of the seventh sellout at SunTrust Park this season. Atlanta dropped two in a row for the first time since June 5-6, a span of 24 games.
Philadelphia went ahead to stay in the fourth. With two out and runners on first and second, Bruce doubled to right to give him 22 RBIs in 23 games with the Phillies.
Keuchel (1-2) allowed five hits in seven innings in his third start with the Braves. But it wasn’t good enough against Nola, who has been dominant of late.
The ace right-hander has a 0.39 ERA over his last three starts. He is 9-3 with a 2.26 ERA in 15 career starts versus Atlanta.
Catcher J.T. Realmuto went 1-for-3 and scored
on Bruce’s double after he tested his left hamstring by running the bases before the game. He left Sunday’s win at Miami in the sixth inning.
Braves pitcher Athony Swarzak, on the 10-day injured list with shoulder inflammation, underwent an MRI that showed no structural damage. Manager Brian Snitker said Swarzak appears on schedule to return July 12 when Atlanta begins a three-game series
at San Diego. Center fielder Ender Inciarte started a rehab assignment and will need a couple of weeks before he’s ready to return from a lumbar strain.
Mourning: Phillies manager Gabe Kapler is grieving the loss of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs, who died Monday at 27. Kapler and Skaggs, both California natives, were part of a group of players who
worked out at Pepperdine University in the winters of 2007 and ’08.
“Tyler Skaggs was a friend of mine, somebody I worked out with for several offseasons,” Kapler said. “It is a really sad time for baseball. We lost someone who’s honest, open, caring, humble and hard-working. He was all those things. Our thoughts and condolences go out to him and the Angels family. It’s a big loss.”