PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Thursday afternoon in D.C., the Phillies bailed Aaron Nola out of yet another uninspiring September outing.
They rallied from a 6-0 deficit to top the Nationals 7-6 and begin their most important month of the season with a win.
What is causing concern is that Nola, a starter at the top of the rotation, missed the opportunity to silence the chatter about his September performances.
"Honestly, forgot it was September today," Nola said after the game. "Up-and-down year so far. ... I don’t really look at the Septembers. ... pitch best I can no matter what month it is, but hearing it from all different angles about September, honestly, kinda tired of it. So, ... getting ready for the next start."
Nola’s earned run average in September 2020 was 3.57 — not terrible, but not great. What’s more eye-opening: He was charged a total of 11 earned runs over his final three starts — all losses as the Phils just missed in the postseason.
In 2019, his September ERA was 6.51, which speaks for itself. The Phillies lost all of his September starts, as well as the final two in August that season.
In 2018, when he was a Cy Young finalist, he had a 3.72 ERA in September. However, in the first three starts of the month he allowed four, three and four runs.
For the Phillies to have their best shot at making the postseason, Nola must perform better over his remaining outings in the regular season.
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"We talk about it every year, but he’s got to find a way to get through this and do his job like he’s capable of doing," manager Joe Girardi said. "We know he can be outstanding and could just as easily run off five really good starts for us, too."
If that were to happen, there's no better time to start than next week at the National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers.