Aaron Nola threw four hits in seven scoreless innings and Nick Castellanos hit a three-run home run to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to their fourth straight victory, 5-0 over the Houston Astros, on Tuesday night.
The Phillies may have put their summer slump behind them over the past two weeks, winning the final two games of a series in Kansas City and the first two games of a three-game series against Houston. The Phillies have won eight of 13 games overall, maintaining their comfortable lead in the NL East — six games ahead of Atlanta as of Tuesday — and are again playing like the team that entered the All-Star break as one of baseball’s best teams.
Nola (12-6) picked up a much-needed victory after going winless in his last seven starts, including five no-decisions and two losses. The right-hander last won a game against the Dodgers on July 11. Nola struck out two hitters in the first inning to earn his 56th career win at Citizens Bank Park. His 56 wins put him in a tie with former Phillies star Cole Hamels for the most wins in 21 seasons at the stadium.
Nola received a standing ovation from the nearly 40,000 fans after he finished the seventh inning, striking out six players and walking one in 102 pitches.
José Ruiz and Tanner Banks each threw a scoreless relief inning.
Nola had the necessary run support after the Phillies scored four times in the third inning against Justin Verlander (3-4).
Trea Turner hit a single to right that scored Austin Hays, who had opened with a leadoff double. One night after his RBI single in the 10th inning against Houston closer Josh Hader tied the game, Bryce Harper hit a single to left that set the stage for Castellanos. Castellanos hit a curveball into the left-field seats for his 18th home run of the year and a 4-0 lead.
At 41 years, 189 days, Verlander is the oldest active pitcher in the major leagues. Although the three-time Cy Young Award winner sat out this season with neck stiffness and right shoulder inflammation, he has remained a key part of the rotation as Houston chases an AL West title.
Verlander had three strikeouts, one walk, allowed four runs and allowed seven hits in five innings.
Alec Bohm added an RBI single in the seventh.
TRAINING ROOM
Phillies LHP José Alvarado was expected to return this season after being placed on the restricted list a day earlier for personal reasons. Alvarado, 29, has a 4.30 ERA in 56 appearances this season. He has converted 13 of 16 save opportunities.
Next
The Astros send RHP Spencer Arrighetti (6-11, 4.94 ERA) to the mound against Phillies RHP Taijuan Walker (3-5, 6.26 ERA). Walker has lost his last eight starts and hasn’t won a game since May 22.
