Harper, Phillies chase Hamels, blow out Cubs

On a nostalgic night for fans that featured the return of two World Series heroes in Charlie Manuel and Cole Hamels, the Philadelphia Phillies put together one of their most complete games of the season.

Ace Aaron Nola threw seven innings of one-run ball for the Phillies, Bryce Harper blasted two home runs and the Phillies blew away the Chicago Cubs, 11-1.

Nola looked good early, retiring the Cubs in the side in the first inning and striking out two on 13 pitches. In the bottom of the frame, Rhys Hoskins broke an 0-13 stretch with a leadoff single. After J.T. Realmuto lined out to third, Bryce Harper crushed an opposite-field home run to put the Phillies up 2-0 over Hamels and the Cubs:

Not a bad way to welcome Charlie Manuel back. pic.twitter.com/jtpLzkcksn

— Phillies Nation (@PhilliesNation) August 14, 2019

Nola worked around a leadoff single to Anthony Rizzo in the top of the second and was aided by another caught stealing by Realmuto, who has now thrown out 32 baserunners on the year. Roman Quinn led off the bottom of the second with a walk, and Cesar Hernandez followed with a double to put runners on second and third with nobody out. After rookie Adam Haseley struck out, an RBI single from Nola and subsequent sac fly from Rhys Hoskins scored Quinn and Hernandez, putting the Phillies up 4-0.

Nola cruised through the third inning, allowing a one out single to Cubs catcher Victor Caritini but striking out the next two batters. The first strikeout came against Hamels, who got a nice ovation from Phillies fans as he stepped to the plate.

The Phillies continued to hit Hamels hard in the third, getting back-to-back-to-back hits on three pitches from Kingery, Quinn and Hernandez to give themselves another run before Haseley reached on an infield hit, putting them up 6-0.

Hamels was then relieved by right handed reliever Alec Mills for Chicago, who walked Nola to load the bases. After Hoskins grounded into a fielders choice, Realmuto smashed a grand slam to left field, putting the Phillies ahead 10-0:

The five seasons: summer, fall, winter, spring, hittin'#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/IRVHwaKIvE

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 15, 2019

Nola continued to cruise through the fourth, fifth and six innings, allowing only one baserunner and striking out two. Meanwhile, Mills remained in the game for Chicago, working quickly through the fourth and the fifth with a walk as his only blemish.

After a couple uneventful innings for the Phillies offense, Harper homered again in the bottom of the sixth against Mills to bring the game to 11-0. It was his second multi-homer game of the season, both coming in the span of five days:

418 feet of crushed from Bryce Harper pic.twitter.com/fTAIPAOAQN

— Phillies Nation (@PhilliesNation) August 15, 2019

Nola’s first and only blemish of the game came in the top of the seventh. Kris Bryant blasted a long home run to left-center, and the Cubs got their only run of the night. Nola retired the next three hitters in order, ending his night.

Relievers Nick Pivetta and Juan Nicasio combined for the final six outs of the game, allowing only one baserunner in the ninth. Mills retired the Phillies with ease in the eighth and gave the rest of Cubs bullpen some unexpected rest after Hamels lasted only two innings.

The Phillies are now 62-58 and sit 1.5 games behind the St Louis Cardinals for the second National League Wild Card spot.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

• Aaron Nola was great all night, pitching efficiently and only allowing three baserunners all night. He has been excellent for a couple months after some major struggles to start the year:

Aaron Nola in his last 11 starts:
73.1 IP, 2.09 ERA, 0.982 WHIP, 83 K, 48 H

— Jonny Heller (@jonnyheller) August 15, 2019

• Hamels had a night to forget in his return to Citizens Bank Park. He lasted only 2+ innings and allowed eight earned runs and has not fared well against his former team this season.

In two starts this season against the Phillies, Cole Hamels has given up 18 hits and 11 runs in just six total innings.

— Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) August 15, 2019

Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game: Bryce Harper

• The Phillies offense was clicking on all cylinders on Wednesday, and Harper led the way. He reached base all four times and hit two home runs, scoring the first and last runs of the game with his two long balls. The Phillies offense needs to go on a run in order to have a chance in the Wild Card race, and Harper has to lead the way to make it happen.

TicketIQ Next Game

• August 15th, Citizens Bank Park
• 7:05 p.m. ET
• TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
• Radio: 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Spanish)

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