The Philadelphia Phillies (45-39) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (57-31) 3-1 on Tuesday afternoon at Tropicana Field.
Aaron Nola and Zach Eflin, former teammates with the Phillies, turned this game into a pitching duel. Nola (8-5, 4.30) worked into the eighth inning, allowing just one earned run on five hits while striking out twelve and walking one. He narrowly defeated Zach Eflin (9-4, 3.24), who allowed just two earned runs on four hits while striking out nine and walking none.
Wander Franco gave the Rays their only offensive output of the game, hitting a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth that chased Nola from the game.
The Rays and Phillies will now meet in the second game of the three game series on Thursday night. First pitch Thursday is scheduled for 6:40 PM - Ronnie & T-Kras begin pregame coverage with the Inside Pitch at 5:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAES