Nola Allows Two Homers as Threshers Fall, 3-1
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Aaron Nola gave up two home runs as the Clearwater Threshers fell to the Palm Beach Cardinals, 3-1, Sunday afternoon at Bright House Field.
Nola (1-2) struck out leadoff man Charlie Tilson to start the game, but did not retire another Cardinal on strikes until his final inning in the fifth.
The rookie right-hander threw just 57 pitches in his five innings of work, allowing three runs on seven hits, picking up two strikeouts.
The Phillies' 2014 first-round pick worked a perfect first inning, but allowed a solo shot to Luke Voit to lead off the second and put the Threshers in a 1-0 hole.
Voit got the best of Nola again in the fourth, sending a 2-2 pitch over the bullpens in left for a two-run homer, putting Clearwater behind 3-0.
Palm Beach starter Nick Petree (5-2) did not allow the Threshers' lineup to do much damage off of him in his seven innings.
Art Charles led off the Threshers' fifth with his 21st double of the season and advanced to third on a fly out to right by Harold Martinez.
Chris Serritella struck out swinging for the second out of the inning, but a wild pitch to Joel Fisher plated Charles from third to give Clearwater its first run of the game.
Charles would end up 3-for-3 on the day with a bloop single to left, a double, and a broken-bat single to right.
Jordan Guth relieved Nola to start the sixth and did not allow a hit in his three innings of relief, with two walks and two strikeouts.
Lee Ridenhour pitched the ninth and worked a 1-2-3 frame.
Cliff Lee will take the mound in his final rehab appearance on Monday night, as Clearwater (9-14) will look to avoid the four-game sweep against Palm Beach (17-7). First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. and can be heard live on threshersbaseball.com beginning at 6:45 p.m.