Aaron Nola’s shakiness continues as Phillies fall to Diamondbacks

In being charged with four earned runs in Arizona on Saturday, Aaron Nola was handed his 10th loss of the season as the Phillies fell to the Diamondbacks, 4-3.

Nola, who’s now surrendered at least four runs in three of his last four starts, completed 5 1/3 innings and allowed seven hits along the way. He only pitched one clean inning, sitting down the top of Arizona’s lineup in order in the fifth. Nola dealt with traffic on the bases in every other inning. He was also handed a pair of leads, but couldn’t hold on to either.

The Phillies starting pitcher was given a 2-0 lead before taking the mound. But Nola gave one run back on an RBI single by Corbin Carroll in the bottom of the first. The D-backs tied the game in the third on another RBI single, this one by Ketel Marte. Later in the sixth, after having retired five straight batters, Nola surrendered back-to-back doubles that tied the game.

The game-tying double in the sixth came off the bat of James McCann, who ended up being the final batter Nola faced on the night. Tanner Banks relieved Nola and couldn’t keep the game tied. McCann scored on a single by Ildemaro Vargas to close the books on Nola’s line.

It took Banks 28 pitches to get the final two outs of the sixth. Before allowing the go-ahead single to Vargas, the left-hander struck out pinch-hitter Tim Tawa. After Vargas’ base knock, Banks allowed another single and walked a batter before striking out Marte with the bases loaded on a 2-2 changeup to end the inning.

Banks not completely melting down didn’t mean much. A pair of runners were stranded by the Phillies in the top of the seventh. The same goes for the top of the eighth. Harrison Bader grounded out to end the seventh. Alec Bohm, whose night started 2-for-2 with a go-ahead home run, flied out to end the eighth. Bryson Stott was left on base in the ninth following a two-out single.

Sunday’s series finale at Chase Field is now a rubber match. The Phillies (92-63) will send Ranger Suárez to the mound as they look to secure their seventh straight series win.