Twins’ Offense Stalls Against Aaron Nola in 3-1 Loss

The Philadelphia Phillies grabbed a crucial 3-1 win over the Minnesota Twins, leaning on a vintage outing from Aaron Nola. He came so close to perfection, and honestly, it was a sight for sore eyes.

Nola’s season has been rough, but he reminded everyone why he’s still one of baseball’s best. He retired the first 17 batters and only slipped up once—a sixth-inning homer to Christian Vázquez.

This late-season gem wasn’t just about numbers. It was about showing the Phillies can handle pressure as the playoffs approach.

Aaron Nola Finds Vintage Form at the Perfect Time

Nola has struggled with inconsistency, but against Minnesota, he looked like the ace Philly has counted on for years. He went eight innings, allowed just two hits, and struck out nine.

He commanded all four pitches and kept hitters off balance. For just the third time in his last 10 starts, he gave up fewer than four runs.

With the postseason looming, the timing couldn’t have been better. The Phillies needed this kind of reminder from their rotation.

Flirting With Perfection

Nola’s perfect game bid ended when Vázquez hit a solo shot in the sixth. Up to that point, Nola had retired 17 straight batters.

He mixed speeds, changed locations, and left Minnesota’s hitters guessing. Honestly, this kind of control has been missing all year, so seeing it now? That’s huge for the team and the fans.

Phillies Capitalize on Early Opportunities

Philadelphia struck first, thanks to a misplay from Twins first baseman Edouard Julien. That opened the door for Alec Bohm, who brought in a run with a sacrifice fly.

They added on in the fifth. Edmundo Sosa hit a solo homer off Joe Ryan, and the dugout came alive.

Kody Clemens Adds Pressure

Kody Clemens led off the seventh with a triple, putting pressure on Minnesota. He didn’t score, but the big hit showed the Phillies’ aggressive approach at the plate.

They just kept forcing the Twins’ pitchers to work. That’s been a real strength for Philly lately.

Joe Ryan’s Encouraging Season Ends on a Sour Note

Joe Ryan made his final start of the year for Minnesota. He struck out nine in five innings but gave up two runs and took the loss.

Even with the loss, Ryan’s season deserves some credit. He finished 13-10 with a 3.47 ERA and set a personal best with 171 innings, bouncing back from last year’s shoulder problems.

Vázquez Returns, but Offense Stalls

Christian Vázquez, just back from the injured list, gave Minnesota its only spark with his sixth-inning homer. But the Twins only put four runners on base all night.

Even with the tying run in scoring position in the ninth, they couldn’t come through. Their 91st loss just kind of sums up a year where individual moments got lost in the bigger struggles.

Jhoan Duran Closes the Door

Jhoan Duran, now pitching for the Phillies after a trade, faced his old team and locked down his 16th save. His calm in the ninth made sure Nola’s night didn’t go to waste.

With Duran in the bullpen, maybe the Phillies have a real edge heading into October. Guess we’ll see soon enough.

Playoff Implications

Philadelphia’s win highlights what works in October: sharp starting pitching, timely offense, and steady relief. Nola’s got his groove back, and Duran’s locking things down in the late innings.

• Aaron Nola: 8 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 9 K — probably his best outing of 2025 so far
• Joe Ryan: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 9 K — solid season, even with a few bumps lately
• Christian Vázquez: HR in 6th inning, his first since coming back from injury
• Jhoan Duran: 16th save this year, shut things down in the ninth
• Phillies offense: Scored early and added insurance with an Edmundo Sosa homer

 
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