Every fifth day, when the Phillies hand the ball to Aaron Nola, they can see the future. This season is about the future; a first half filled with darkness often blurred what was a hazy image even before 53 losses in 80 games. But Nola has provided light, this time with seven stellar innings in a 4-0 Phillies win.
The righthander did not permit a hit until the fifth inning. A Pirates runner did not reach third base until the seventh inning because of a lazy fly ball that fell between three Phillies defenders. Nola struck out eight.