Tim Fletcher: Former LSU Star Makes MLB Debut

Former LSU Tiger Aaron Nola made his major league debut last night for the Philadelphia Phillies, already paying off for his employer before he threw the first pitch. The Philles had drawn over 28,000 to Citizens Bank Park just eleven times in 48 home games this year--last night, 28,700 were on hand to watch the club's first round pick just 13 months ago face Tampa Bay.

Nola gave up a lead-off double but followed with a pair of strikeouts to aid his escape effort.  In the top of the third, Rays starting pitcher Nathan Karns collected his first big league hit with a no-doubt-about-it clout to left-center to give Tampa Bay a 1-0 lead.

In the home half of the fifth, Nola collected his first major league hit with a solid single but was erased on a double play. Nola pitched six innings, and gave up one run on five hits, with no walks and six strikeouts in the 1-0 loss.

-Tim Fletcher