Daily News | Phillies’ Aaron Nola gives up two solo homers, strikes out five in first spring start
Bryce Harper, right, chats with Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt before the Phillies played their first home spring-training game Saturday at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Fla.CLEARWATER, Fla. — Facing a Blue Jays lineup that featured several regulars, Aaron Nola gave up two solo home runs — both on two-strike pitches — Saturday in the Phillies’ 3-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays at BayCare Ballpark.It was a solid first game for J.T. Realmuto.
Neither would’ve been notable if Nola hadn’t led the league with 82 two-strike hits last season. Otherwise, he pounded the zone and recorded five of six outs via strikeouts. Nola is in line for his fifth consecutive opening-day start If Zack Wheeler isn’t ready to go.Outfield prospect Jhailyn Ortiz tripled and scored the go-ahead run in the seventh innings. It‘s a big year for Ortiz, a slugging outfielder who signed for $4 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2015.