PHILADELPHIA — Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola was well on his way to following up his best start of the season — and perhaps the finest of his young career — with another solid outing Sunday in St. Louis before one pitch did him in.
Nola served up a 92 mph fastball down the middle to St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Dexter Fowler for a three-run homer in the fifth inning.
That was enough for Phillies manager Pete Mackanin to give the 24-year-old the hook.
“Any time you’re in a hitter’s count, and you’re going to come inside to a hitter who has some power, you’re taking a big chance,” Mackanin told CSNPhilly.