Ranger Suarez, Phillies shut out Braves

Matt Vierling drove in the lone run with a sacrifice fly, Ranger Suarez tossed six scoreless innings and the host Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Atlanta Braves 1-0 on Thursday.

Suarez (10-5) allowed five hits to go along with four strikeouts and two walks.

Zach Eflin followed with 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief. Jose Alvarado gave up a two-out single to Marcell Ozuna in the ninth inning but still recorded the final four outs to earn his second save.

After a five-game losing streak, the Phillies (82-67) have now won two in a row. They remain 2 1/2 games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers (80-70) in the race for the third National League wild card.

Austin Riley contributed three hits for the Braves (93-57), who have dropped two straight. Atlanta managed only six hits and went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

The Braves fell 1 1/2 games behind the National League East-leading New York Mets (95-56), who were idle on Thursday.

Atlanta right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. was scratched shortly before the game due to mid-back tightness.

Braves starter Max Fried (13-7) gave up five hits and one run with eight strikeouts and one walk in five innings.

The Phillies got the only run they needed in the second inning. With one out, J.T. Realmuto singled, went to third on Jean Segura's single and came home on Vierling's sacrifice fly to center field on an 0-2 curveball.

In the third, the Phillies placed runners on first and second with no outs, but Fried battled through a 29-pitch inning to escape the jam.

Riley led off the fourth with a bloop single and Travis d'Arnaud grounded into a fielder's choice. Matt Olson singled to right, moving d'Arnaud to third. Vaughn Grissom struck out and Michael Harris II grounded out to end the threat.

Phillies hitting coach Kevin Long was ejected by plate umpire Andy Fletcher for arguing balls and strikes in the fifth.

The Braves loaded the bases with two outs in the sixth, but Harris grounded out to first.