The Phillies falter again as the Braves tighten the race for the NL East lead.

The Phillies falter again as the Braves tighten the race for the NL East lead.

The Phillies’ once-secure lead in the National League East has dwindled to just six games following their 3-1 loss to the Braves at Truist Park on Tuesday night.

With 37 games left, their path to their first division title since 2011 has become increasingly uncertain. They now face the challenge of maintaining their lead while keeping a close eye on the Dodgers and Brewers, who are closing in on the best record in the National League.

In the opening game of a crucial three-game series, the Braves—six-time reigning division champions—moved within striking distance of the Phillies. The two teams will face each other six more times in the next 12 games, a stretch that could significantly alter the standings. For Atlanta, who recently lost slugging third baseman Austin Riley for the rest of the regular season, Tuesday’s win was a vital boost.

Marcell Ozuna delivered the game-winning hit, breaking a 1-1 tie in the sixth inning with his 37th home run of the season, a 432-foot blast off Zack Wheeler (12-6).

Wheeler, who was aiming for his 100th career win, was held back by a Braves lineup that appears to be hitting its stride at the perfect time. José Alvarado’s struggles in the eighth inning, where he walked four batters and forced in an insurance run, highlighted a night where the Phillies faltered at key moments.

Reynaldo López, returning from the injured list, pitched five dominant innings for Atlanta, striking out 10 and silencing the Phillies’ offense. Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, and Bryce Harper went a combined 0-for-12 with seven strikeouts, as Philadelphia’s final 17 batters were retired in order—showcasing an offense that has gone cold at a crucial point in the season.

Adding to the Phillies’ woes, Whit Merrifield—who was released by the team on July 22—haunted his former club with a triple, a double, and a walk, recording his first multi-extra-base-hit game of the season. Since Merrifield’s departure, the Phillies have struggled to a 13-19 record, a slump that could come back to bite them as they approach the postseason.

Now tied with the Brewers (73-52) and just a game behind the Dodgers (75-52), the Phillies risk losing out on a first-round bye. Finishing with the third-best record in the NL would mean hosting a Wild Card Series, a situation they had hoped to avoid. With the regular season winding down, the Phillies have little room for error and will need to quickly regain their form to keep their division title hopes alive.