Phillies’ bats go quiet as Braves even NLDS

ATLANTA (AP) — After swinging through a 95 mph fastball for strike three to end the eighth inning, Kyle Schwarber went back to the Philadelphia dugout in an 0-for16 postseason slump.

He wasn't the only Phillies hitter who came up empty Wednesday.

One night after scoring seven runs on 12 hits, the Phillies and their big bats went quiet in a 3-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves that evened their best-of-five NL Division Series at a game apiece.

Schwarber, who led the National League with 46 home runs this season, struck out three times and finished 0 for 4.

"For me, you've got to be able to put the ball in play," he said. "I'm the guy at the top of the lineup. I've got to be able to get on base for these guys. I don't feel bad or anything up at the plate, so I just have to make the adjustments and go from there. Put in a good day's work and then be ready to go on Friday."

Schwarber isn't alone in his struggles. Rhys Hoskins, who bats No. 2 in the lineup behind Schwarber, is 1 for 18 in the playoffs and went 0 for 4 in Game 2. Nick Castellanos was 0 for 3 after driving in three runs with three hits in Game 1.

Braves closer Kenley Jansen retired Hoskins, J.T. Realmuto and Bryce Harper in order to end the game. Back in the playoffs for the first time since 2011, the wild-card Phillies lost for the first time in four postseason games this month.

"You want to do everything you can to get on base and set it up for the people behind you or knock guys in because they're on base," Hoskins said. "I feel like I've had pretty good at-bats so far. I feel like I'm getting pitched pretty tough, too, but that's what happens in the postseason."