Running into a hot pitcher when you’re struggling at the plate is like getting a flashing CHECK ENGINE light in your car while stuck in a traffic jam. It’s not the cause of your problems, but it really doesn’t help. Also imagine that the drivers around you clogging the road are people that you really don’t like, and you’ll be incredibly unhappy if they manage to pass you. That is the equivalent of what the Phillies ran into tonight as they dropped the series in against the Braves.
The Phillies struck first with some small ball; Kyle Schwarber took a base on balls and scored after a Bryce Harper single and a pair of force outs advanced him.