Running into a good pitcher while you’re having trouble at the batting plate is like having the check engine light flashing in your car in traffic. While it’s not the cause of your problems, it really doesn’t help. Also, imagine that the drivers around you clogging up the road are people you really don’t like, and that you would be incredibly unhappy if they were able to pass you. That’s the equivalent of what the Phillies experienced tonight when they lost the series to the Braves.

The Phillies struck first with some small ball; Kyle Schwarber got a base on balls and scored after advancing on a single by Bryce Harper and two force outs. The Braves became dangerous when Michael Harris II worked a walk and Marcell Ozuna hit a grounder that bounced off Weston Wilson, but a brilliant double play that started with a diving Bryson Stott slowed them down; the Phillies left the 1st inning with a lead. But not for long: Atlanta tied it in the 2nd inning with two singles and a ground rule double by Gio Urshela.

The Braves took the lead themselves when Whit Merrifield laid down a bunt and was sent home by Matt Olson, who hit a ball that flew just out of reach of the outstretched Nick Castellanos. What happened next was just plain weird: Adam Duvall hit a ball picked up by Trea Turner and pulled it just far enough that he couldn’t make the play at first base. Turner instead threw to third base, where Olson was caught on a rundown between the hot corner and home. But the Phillies couldn’t quite catch him, and he slid safely back to third base. Fortunately, a strikeout ended the inning immediately afterward.

Meanwhile, Spencer Schwellenbach continued to stun the Philadelphians, holding them to just one hit until the 6th. Given that, it was pretty unlikely that they would be down by just 1; it couldn’t stay that way for long. And it didn’t, as Adam Duvall hit a solo shot to make the score 3-1.

The Phillies finally got their second hit when Bryson Stott hit one right off the pitcher’s glove. They didn’t have to wait another 6 innings for the next one: JT Realmuto hit a double to right; despite a powerful throw, the Braves couldn’t tag Stott as he slid home to cut the lead back to one and chase away Schwellenbach.

The Phillies tried to catch up in the 8th inning by substituting Cal Stevenson as a pinch hitter for Johan Rojas and Schwarber with a free throw before Turner ended the half inning with a double play.

José Ruiz gave the Phillies a chance by retiring three Braves in a row in the bottom of the 8th inning. That left the trio of Harper, Castellanos and Stott facing Raisel Iglesias with the game on the line. Harper struck out, as did Castellanos and Stott. The Phillies lost the series 2-1.

The Phillies are 74-53 and begin a series tomorrow night at 8:10 p.m. ET in Kansas City.