Phillies Waste Aaron Nola Gem in 2-1 loss to Brewers

Aaron Nola held the Brewers to one run over seven innings and Alec Bohm hit an early home run. But the Phillies couldn't accomplish much else offensively in a 2-1 loss on Wednesday.

One could make an argument that a strong Aaron Nola start was more important to the Phils' championship hopes than winning this game. Nola's line: 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K, 97 pitches (61 strikes).

Aaron Nola, Wicked Knuckle Curves. 🤢

7th and 8th Ks pic.twitter.com/qwd20m5wmb

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 19, 2024

Aaron. Nola.

This is why I will happily deal with his once in a while random implosions.

Sensational stuff tonight.

— The Good Phight (@TheGoodPhight) September 19, 2024

Aaron Nola has allowed only two earned runs across 20 1/3 innings in potential playoff clinchers over the last three years.

— Destiny Lugardo (@destiny_lugardo) September 19, 2024

Here's the Bohm run:

Out in a hurry ☄️

Alec Bohm gets the @Phillies on the board! pic.twitter.com/3l0K5CBXec

— MLB (@MLB) September 19, 2024

Unfortunately, old friend Rhys Hoskins tied the game with a bomb of his own:

Rhys Hoskins ties it up against his old squad! pic.twitter.com/zMql8feBmV

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 19, 2024

Aaron Nola knew Rhys Hoskins got it. pic.twitter.com/N6Ya9MXwXE

— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) September 19, 2024

The Brewers have only hit 2 homers in 50 innings against the Phillies this season — both of them Rhys Hoskins, off Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler.

— Corey Seidman (@CSeidmanNBCS) September 19, 2024

Christian Yelich: “We’ll be told we have zero chance to win a World Series.”

Rhys Hoskins: “Perfect.” pic.twitter.com/xexmhRePSC

— Stephen Watson (@SWatsonTV) September 18, 2024

Orion Kerkering threw a clean eighth inning, striking out two. He has been fantastic:

Orion Kerkering since August 20th:
13.0 IP | 5 H | 1 R | 0 ER | 2 BB | 17 K
0.00 ERA | 0.54 WHIP pic.twitter.com/zHrEYVatpV

— Andrew Coté (@acote_88) September 19, 2024

Carlos Estevez has pitched well also, but he allowed a leadoff triple in the ninth and couldn't escape. The walk-off hit:

TODAY HAD TO END LIKE THIS THERE WAS NO OTHER WAY pic.twitter.com/HE8RnVMKkS

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) September 19, 2024

And just like that, the Brewers were off to celebrate the NL Central championship they clinched earlier in the day (via a Cubs loss):

Y’all mind if we pop some bottles? 🍾 pic.twitter.com/OzWijYBIBK

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) September 19, 2024

Bob Uecker, everybody pic.twitter.com/2tS2w0Q15F

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) September 19, 2024

Hopefully we'll see some similar images from the Phillies clubhouse in New York this weekend. The Phils' magic number over the Mets in the NL East remains at four, so two wins in the four-game series will lock up the division.

The Metropolitans and their fans are fired up. Should be a fun weekend.

Brandon Nimmo telling Mets fans to show up this weekend with big series vs Phillies.

📹: @SNYtv

pic.twitter.com/wd3wcIN34x

— On Pattison (@OnPattison) September 19, 2024