Offense lets Atlanta Braves down again in key series against Phillies

The Atlanta Braves’ hitters were once again quiet this weekend. After being shut out on Saturday night, they lost 3-2 in 11 innings on a walk-off by Nick Castellanos. They now sit seven games behind first place after losing their four-game series.

Worse yet, the Mets won again, and the Braves’ lead in the final Wild Card spot has shrunk to just one game.

There is frustration. They know that opportunities have been missed.

“Honestly, I felt like we could have left here with three points out of four,” said manager Brian Snitker said. “We didn’t execute enough. Tonight we had the bases loaded and one out in the ninth, we didn’t put a ball in play. We didn’t do the little things, and that’s what you’ve got to do against a good team.”

The Braves went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position, an invidious statistic highlighted by a few key moments.

The Braves had the bases loaded in the top of the ninth with one out. Arcia popped out and Luke Williams flew out to end the inning.

Snitker was lenient with Arcia when asked about the situation after the game.

“I’d like him to make a sacrifice fly or hit a single,” Snitker said said“Hitting is tough. In those situations…you want to do better, but he’s up there trying. He wants to hit and drive in the run more than anyone else. So I’m not going to blame him.”

Then there was the automatic runner on second in extras. Snitker opted to pinch Eli White, who like Jorge Soler had come in as a defensive sub, with Adam Duvall.

While he has hit well against the Phillies this season — he’s hitting .364 — he hasn’t hit well against righties or off the bench. He’s hitting .145 against righties and .130 off the bench. For those looking for more advanced stats, he has a 14 OPS+ against righties and a 57 OPS+ off the bench.

Duvall missed the ball.

“He’s struggling, hasn’t had many at bats, he’s working his ass off,” Snitker said said“But I don’t want that game to be over without (using) him… while he’s sitting there.”

Another strong performance by the starting pitcher was also lost. Spencer Schwallenbach threw 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk, while striking out two. Not the strongest performance, but he did his job. Braves starters have done their job pretty consistently.

The Braves starters have been holding off batters up to three runs or less for 21 consecutive games. It’s the best run this team has had since the mound was moved to its current 60 feet, six inches from home plate in 1893. You don’t have to go and get stats every day from when Cy Young was in his — checks notes — fourth season.

Although the team went 13-8 in that run, there was potential for more. The Braves have lost four games in that span after giving up just three runs. Things could have been very different, especially with all the games against the Phillies.

But what’s done is done. The division race is nearly over. The Braves now only have to focus on making the playoffs. The Mets are now only one game behind, and the Cubs are only three after winning six games in a row.

The Braves return to Atlanta on Tuesday to begin their three-game series with the Colorado Rockies. First pitch is scheduled for 7:20 p.m., with Chris Sale filling in as the Braves’ stopper.