Atlanta Braves drop series opener to Phillies 3-0 in division play

The first place Braves took the best record in the National League on the road to play division rival Philadelphia Monday to start a key series.

The Atlanta Braves (28-18) couldn’t get the offense going behind a quality start from Mike Foltynewicz Monday night in a 3-0 loss to the Phillies on the road.

Atlanta ran into a buzz saw in Philadelphia starter Nick Pivetta, who allowed no runs on four hits with seven strikeouts and only a single walk in seven innings.

Mike Foltynewicz also pitched well, going six innings for the Braves. He gave up only one run on six hits, fanning five and walking a pair of batters. He threw 105 pitches in the game, 67 of which were strikes. The loss drops Foltynewicz to 3-3 on the year.

The game would remain 1-0 until the Phillies got Braves reliever Shane Carle for a pair of runs in the seventh, but suddenly stagnant Atlanta offense made those runs meaningless in what would be a 3-0 loss in the end. Carle hadn’t allowed a run in his previous 14 appearances until Monday night.

Ozzie Albies, Freddie Freeman, Nick Markakis and Kurt Suzuki each went 1-for-4 on the night, while Dansby Swanson had a 1-for-3 performance. Johan Camargo was the only other Braves batter to reach a base with a walk.

More than a few nice defensive plays from the Philadelphia outfield ended up being a huge factor in what would be a close game throughout.

The win helps the Phillies advance a full game on the Braves in the N.L. East standings, but Atlanta remains in first place for the time being.

Next: Braves may run into an influx of starting pitching very soon

Atlanta and Philadelphia are set to square off again Tuesday night in a game scheduled for a 7:05 ET start.  Braves will send Brandon McCarthy to the mound while the Phillies send right-hander Vince Velasquez.