Nix's Major League Debut Shuts Out Phillies 2-0
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SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Padres got a glimpse of their future Friday night as one of its top pitching prospects shut down the Phillies.
Jacob Nix pitched six strong innings in his major league debut and the San Diego Padres beat the Philadelphia Phillies 2-0 on Friday night.
"It was a fun night for him," said Padres manager Andy Green. "The fastball command was there from the beginning."
Nix (1-0) got off to a rocky start. He stranded three runners after a pair of singles and a walk in the first, and two more runners in the second. Then he settled down, allowing one more baserunner the rest of the game, retiring 12 of his last 13 batters faced and striking out four.
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"I've worked my whole life for this moment," Nix said. "I'm on cloud nine right now."
After settling in, Padres fans and Nix' contingent of 60-plus guests grew noticeably louder each time he recorded an out.
"I could hear my grandma, she's always been the one I can hear," said Nix.
Freddy Galvis hit a two-out RBI single in the second to put the Padres up 1-0. Austin Hedges scored from second after initially reaching base on a bloop single, and then stealing second.
Hedges then added a solo homer on a 1-2 pitch in the fourth to put the Padres up 2-0. It was Hedges ninth home run of the season.
Hedges caught Nix while on a rehab assignment earlier this season and says he remembers Nix dominating then and dominating now.
"You couldn't even tell it was his debut," said Hedges.
Down 2-0, the Phillies appeared to be threatening after a leadoff single and a walk to start the seventh inning, but Padres reliever Matt Strahm struck out the next two and induced a weak ground ball out to end the inning.
Strahm, Craig Stammen and Kirby Yates combined for three innings of scoreless relief.
Odubel Herrera and Maikel Franco both singled to lead off the ninth for the Phillies, but Yates struck out two of the last three batters to pick up his fourth save of the season after replacing former Padres closer Brad Hand.
"We were in the game the entire time, had opportunities to score, we were not able to capitalize on those opportunities," said Phillies manager Gabe Kapler. "That's the story of the game."
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Eric Hosmer had three hits, joining Galvis and Hedges as the only Padres to have hits.
Phillies starter Zach Eflin (8-4) gave up both runs and five hits over six innings. He struck out eight.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Padres: Rookie LHP Eric Lauer (left forearm strain) played long toss before the game without any reported issues.
UP NEXT
Phillies: RHP Aaron Nola takes the mound against the Padres looking to bolster his Cy Young credentials.
Padres: RHP Walter Lockett looks to grab his first win of the season on Saturday night.