ATLANTA -- On “Zombie Night” at Atlanta’s Turner Field, fans dressed up as if to participate in the wildly popular cable television show “The Walking Dead,” which is filmed nearby. Really, though, it was the Phillies and Braves who played the parts.
The Phillies (56-92) lost for the fourth straight time (the 18th time in 24 games) and blew a chance to pull the Braves (58-90) down to their level as holder of the worst record in Major League Baseball.
Catcher Cameron Rupp homered in the second, but the Phillies wasted several chances, leaving 12 runners on base. The Braves stranded just three while winning for just the fifth time in 31 games.
Starting pitching report
Rookie Adam Morgan (5-7, 4.48) was solid in his hometown, allowing two earned runs over six innings. He surrendered six hits, half of which were doubles. Two factored in the Braves’ scoring. Morgan, who struck out three without walking a batter, has had big problems in allowing extra-base hits.
Atlanta rookie Williams Perez (6-6, 5.16) had a little more mustard than Morgan, striking out six in 5 2/3 innings. He, too, allowed six hits but spread them out more effectively while mixing in just one walk. Rupp’s long ball was the only mark on Perez in the scoring column.
Bullpen report
Dalier Hinojosa had it going on, striking out a pair in two scoreless innings. He allowed just one hit.
MLB
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez ran five relievers out there after Perez. Despite Brandon Cunniff, Andrew McKirahan, Peter Moylan, Matt Marksberry and Arodys Vizcaino combining to walk four Phillies, the visitors failed to convert any of those gifts into runs.
At the plate
It was not like Rupp’s home run was the Phillies' only real chance at generating some offense. The problem was the Phillies did not get a hit with runners in scoring position (0 for 11).
They left the bases loaded in the sixth when pinch-hitter Jeff Francoeur struck out. In the seventh, after pinch-hitter Chase d’Arnaud beat out an infield single and moved around the bases, he was cut down at home plate when Odubel Herrera’s squeeze attempt was fielded by McKirahan and flipped with his glove hand to Atlanta catcher Christian Bethancourt for the out.
The Phils left the bases loaded in the ninth, too, as Darin Ruff lined out hard to second base to end the game.
Herrera had two hits, as did Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman, who also scored a run.
Health check
First baseman Ryan Howard, who left Monday’s game in Washington with a left knee injury, remained out for a third straight game.
Up next
The Phillies have two more games in Atlanta. Here’s what’s on tap:
Saturday night — RHP Jerad Eickhoff (1-3, 3.90) vs. RHP Ryan Weber (0-1, 4.38)
Sunday afternoon — RHP Aaron Nola (6-2, 4.11) vs. RHP Julio Teheran (10-7, 4.34).