Sunday Pitching Standouts


Five nights after meeting in the nightcap of Tuesday's Citi Field doubleheader, Aaron Nola and Marcus Stroman returned to the mound, and were in their individual ways, superb.

Nola authored his first complete game shutout as a Phillie. The 143rd start of his career was an absolute masterpiece, as he held the Cardinals lineup featuring Nolan Arenado, Yadier Molina and Paul Goldschmidt to just two hits, while striking out 10. No walks, no one hit by pitch. Just an old fashioned dominating performance. 

Stroman turned in his finest effort since joining the Mets at the 2019 trade deadline. Working at normally hitter-friendly Coors Field, the Long Island native took advantage of cool weather to keep the Rockies in check. His line: eight innings, one run, four hits and a nifty fielding play, as he snagged a hot grounder, and then with momentum forcing him toward 3rd base, he got just enough on a throw that bounced and rolled toward 1st baseman Pete Alonso more like a golf shot.

Bottom line for both teams: big Sunday victories where pitching was the story.
 

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