Philadelphia Phillies: Aaron Nola keeping shutouts alive

There was a time when complete games, and subsequently, complete game shutouts, were not a rarity. Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola is trying to keep those gems alive.

He did his part once again on Thursday. Nola fired a complete game shutout against the Reds, allowing just five hits while striking out 11 batters. It was his first shutout, and second complete game, of the season.

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola keeping old school performance alive

That shutout continued a personal streak for Nola. It marked the third consecutive season that he has fired a complete game shutout, making him the only pitcher to do so each year since the beginning of 2020.

There are caveats to that statistic. Pitchers received a dozen starts at most in 2020 due to the pandemic shortened season, limiting their ability to pitch such a game. Considering the abbreviated training camp not allowing pitchers to fully stretch out, there was essentially a six week span where one of those games could happen.

Nonetheless, it is impressive that Nola has been able to get these shutouts. In a time of pitch counts, and when pitchers are being lifted in the middle of no-hitters and perfect games, to actually last through nine innings is an accomplishment on its own.

Maybe this streak can continue for the next few years. Nola is just 29 years old and should have a few years left as a top of the rotation caliber arm. He could get a few more complete games and maybe, just maybe, get that shutout in each of those seasons as well.

Aaron Nola is the only pitcher to fire a complete game shutout over each of the past three years. The Philadelphia Phillies hope that continues.