By GEORGE HENRY
ATLANTA (AP) — Aaron Nola wanted to make up for his most recent start against the Braves, a no-decision last month in which he gave up five runs in 4 1/3 innings.
This time, Nola had full command of his fastball, and the deep Atlanta lineup couldn’t solve him.
“That’s a big win tonight for us, especially over here against these guys,” Nola said. “They’ve been playing really good this past month to month and a half. Winning the first game of a series is always big.”
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, shut out for just the second time this season, dropped two in a row for the first time since June 5-6, a span of 24 games.
It marked the sixth time this year that the Braves, whose 56 homers in June set a franchise high for a calendar month, were held to four or fewer hits.
″(Nola) didn’t throw many heaters and when he did throw one it was perfectly placed in a spot where he was setting up his off-speed,” Braves All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman said. “Sometimes good pitchers shut down good offenses.”
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.
“One pitch got me tonight, but I was able to get through seven,” Keuchel said. “Seven’s really the benchmark for me. I don’t really feel whole unless it’s seven-plus, so that’s what I strive for every time out.”
But it wasn’t good enough against Nola, who has been dominant of late.
The ace right-hander, who was still hitting 95 mph on the radar gun in the eighth, 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.
“He proved that he could go deeper into the game,” Philadelphia manager Gabe Kapler said. “He proved that his body was bouncing back for him, that he could handle the volume and that he was staying in his delivery. He ended it just the way an ace does.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Phillies: C 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: RHP Anthony 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. … CF Ender Inciarte has started a rehab assignment and will need a couple weeks before he’s ready to return from a lumbar strain.
MOURNING
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.”
UP NEXT
Phillies: RHP Nick Pivetta (4-2, 5.63 ERA) has a 6.35 ERA in two starts against Atlanta this year.
Braves: RHP Bryse Wilson (0-0, 8.31 ERA) gave up four runs and five hits and walked four in 3 1/3 innings against the Chicago Cubs last week.
___
