Aaron Nola struck out 11 and allowed just five hits to deliver his second career shutout in nine innings, leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-0 victory over the shutout Cincinnati Reds in the four-game series on Thursday. .
Panamanian Edmundo Sosa drove in three runs as the ninth batter, and Kyle Schwarber hit his 35th home run of the season, leading the National League, passing Paul Goldschmidt of the St. Louis Cardinals.
With the victory, the Phillies increased their lead to 2 1/2 games over rested San Diego in the race for the second wild-card spot in the NL playoffs.
Philadelphia has a four-game lead over Milwaukee, which is currently out of the new expanded format.
The Phillies went 31-20 in games without slugger Bryce Harper, who was set to return to the lineup Friday after missing two months with a broken left thumb.
Nola had also pitched a seven-inning complete-game shutout on Sept. 11, 2020—a win over the Miami Marlins as part of a doubleheader.
This time the loss went to starter Justin Dunn (1-2).
For the Reds, Colombian Donovan Solano 4-1. The Dominican Aristides Aquino 4-1. The Mexican Alejo López 3-1. Cuban Jose Barrero 3-0.
For the Phillies, Dominican Jean Segura 3-0. Panamanian Sosa 2-1.