Aaron Nola continues to develop his change-up

ST. LOUIS - Aaron Nola did not throw his change-up on Tuesday night until the fourth inning. He had already thrown 58 pitches, all of which were either fastballs or curveballs.

The righthander needed another look as he navigated the Cardinals lineup a second time in a 1-0 win. The change-up - a pitch he focused on in the offseason - proved to do the trick.

Nola threw six change-ups in his final four innings. He used the developing pitch to induce three ground balls. It helped him keep the Cardinals off balance as they could not sit on his curveball and fastball. Catcher Cameron Rupp said the pitch offers a "different wrinkle." That is why Nola spent his offseason experimenting with different change-up grips. An effective third pitch, the Phillies believe, is essential to the pitcher's development.

"I'm definitely feeling better with it," Nola said. "It's still coming along. I'm still working on it in my sides and during the week before my starts. I'm trying to get it to where I really want it to be."

Nola's change-up accounted for just 5.4-percent of the 111 pitches he threw on Tuesday. Nola had averaged to throw the change-up for 7.36-percent of his pitches in his five previous starts, according to Brooks Baseball. The pitch's effectiveness - not necessarily its usage - is most important. Tuesday was Nola's second start this season that each change-up that was hit resulted in a ground ball.

"For a guy that worked on it overnight basically and for him to not be afraid to throw it in big league games, is huge," said manager Pete Mackanin. "He's just going to get better and better."

Nola's fastball is most effective due to the pitcher's ability to change speeds and locate the pitch on both sides of the plate. During a single at-bat on Tuesday, Nola threw three fastballs that ranged from 89 to 92 mph. And then after Nola sprinkled in his change-up, he was able to lean back on his fastball and curveball.

"You can get them out the first time around using that curveball and fastball," Rupp said. "The second time around and the third time around, you have to start making adjustments and throwing something different. The change-up is that pitch. It's been outstanding."