Pirates’ bats again lack fireworks

Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA

With a hospital band wrapped around his right wrist, Freddy Galvis welcomed his second daughter with a long ball.

Aaron Nola struck out eight in seven splendid innings, Galvis and Maikel Franco hit two-run homers and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-0 Monday night.

Despite only sleeping a couple hours because his daughter, Nicole, was born at 5:53 in the morning, Galvis swung at the first pitch he saw and hit a shot estimated at 417 feet into the second deck in right field to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead in the first off Ivan Nova (8-6).

“It was a good day,” Galvis said with a big smile. “Just trying to do one thing at a time.”

After Galvis reached on a bunt single his next time up, Franco ripped a liner out to left to make it 4-0 in the third.

Nola (6-5) allowed four hits and none until Jordy Mercer lined a double down the left-field line with two outs in the fifth. Joaquin Benoit and Hector Neris completed the four-hitter.

“First pitch strikes and getting the leadoff hitter out,” Nola said about the keys to his success. “Just tried to stay with my game plan.”

Nola used offspeed pitches, including a sharp curve, to keep hitters off-balance throughout the game. He fanned pinch-hitter John Jaso with a curve ball on his final pitch, leaving two runners on base.

Nola is 3-0 with a 1.27 ERA in his last three starts.

“Nola was outstanding,” Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. “He’s had several good outings. I think he’s turned the corner and pitching the way he’s capable. He threw a couple different types of curve balls and the changeup is becoming a good pitch for him.”

Nova gave up four runs and seven hits in six innings. He allowed more than three earned runs for only the fourth time in 17 starts.

“He wasn’t sharp coming out of the gate,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “He had a couple of missed locations that cost him four runs.”

STANDINGS

The Pirates (37-46) are 71/2 games behind NL Central-leading Milwaukee.

The Phillies (28-53) finished the first half with the worst record in the majors, but have won four of the last six.

STARTING TIME

Philadelphia’s Phillies starters have recorded a quality start in 11 of their last 15 games since June 17. They have a 3.26 ERA in that span.

“There’s competition within the competition,” Mackanin said. “If they continue to pitch well, we’ll be much-improved.”