PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Philadelphia Phillies knew a sweep in Atlanta this week would be almost required to have any chance of winning the National League East.
Unfortunately, their bats didn't meet the urgency of the moment, as the Atlanta Braves beat the Phils, 2-1, throwing yet another dagger into Philadelphia's fledgling postseason hopes.
Atlanta's Charlie Morton blanked Philadelphia hitters, allowing no runs just three hits in seven innings, surpassing a stellar four-hit, seven-inning outing by the Phillies' Zach Wheeler.
The Phillies' scored their only run in the ninth inning with a sacrifice fly by Didi Gregorius.
The loss means Atlanta's magic number to clinch the NL East, and eliminate the Phillies from contention, is three.
Any Braves win or Phillies loss would further shrink that number by one, and any win by Atlanta over Philadelphia drops that number by two. That means the Braves would clinch the division by sweeping the Phillies in their three-game series which ends Thursday.
