"A" is for...

Aaron, as in Aaron Nola. And "A" is also for ace, as on Thursday when the Phillies young star outdueled Max Scherzer of the Nationals. Eight innings of shutout ball to lead his team team to a badly needed victory.
Coming into the afternoon on a four-game losing streak -- and with the memory of Wednesday night's 9th inning collapse still a fresh memory -- Nola went zero for zero with the reigning Cy Young winner, until Odubel Herrera's two-run homer gave him a lead. And then he protected it -- striking Bryce Harper with two on and two out in the 8th to stifle a possible Washington rally.
For one more indication of his determination, check out his expression in the image below.
Not just a 15-game winner, Nola is the biggest reason the Phils are still in the NL East race.  The team has won each of Nola's last four starts. In their other 13 games over the last 2-1/2 weeks, they're 3-10.
That's what an ace does.
My images of Aaron Nola are from the July 9th Phillies/Mets game in New York.

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