Apr 24, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Andrew Painter (24) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The Phillies lost 5-3 to the Atlanta Braves Friday night at Truist Park, handing Rob Thomson's club their 10th consecutive loss. It marks the first time in the 21st century that the Phillies have lost 10 games in a row.
For periods of Friday evening's contest, it felt like the Phillies had a chance to snap their lengthy losing streak.
In the top of the third inning, Trea Turner followed up a one-out single from Garrett Stubbs by hitting a Grant Holmes offering to deep right field. Ronald Acuña Jr. tried to deke like he was going to have a play off the right-field wall, but it sailed over the fence for a two-run home run:
Trea Turner puts the Phillies up 2-0 early!
(via @aokstott) pic.twitter.com/632ayIDpO7
Acuña didn't need to deke anything in the home half of the third inning, as the former NL MVP took a hanging slider from Andrew Painter and hit it 410 feet to tie the game:
Launched by @ronaldacunajr24!#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/F6y1GYo2nF
After Kyle Schwarber struck out with the bases loaded to end the top of the fourth inning, Bryce Harper gave the Phillies the lead with a solo home run off of Holmes in the top of the fifth, his sixth homer of the season:
Bryce Harper LOVES Truist Park
(via @ToddZolecki) pic.twitter.com/yjXWd5ytEy
It was Harper's 47th career homer against the Braves, by far the most against any opponent. The next closest is the 40 he's hit against the New York Mets. Additionally, this was Harper's 800th career extra-base hit.
In the bottom of the sixth, though, Michael Harris II came off the bench and crushed a ball off of Painter that appeared like it might be a three-run home run. Instead, it stayed in the park, with a banged-up Harris rolling into second base with a two-run double over the head of Brandon Marsh in left field:
CLUTCH 💸@MoneyyyMikeee | #BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/WtViBUat91
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 25, 2026
Painter would later spike a curveball, which got by Stubbs and allowed Jorge Mateo — who had pinch run for Harris — to score from third base.
You can argue Painter — who finished the night with nine hits and five earned runs allowed over 5 2/3 innings — was left in a couple batters too long, but being able to work through these type of situations is part of the growing process at the majors. Unfortunately, when you're in the midst of one of the worst stretches in franchise history, you can't afford to have growing pains. You need results.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, the Phillies had a chance to do damage against Atlanta closer Robert Suárez. But while Turner and Adolis García reached base and advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch, Marsh grounded out to the pitcher to end the game, stranding the tying run at second base.
For the Phillies, it's their first 10-game losing streak since since Sept. 4-14 of 1999, when they lost 11 games in a row. While that Phillies team was led by Terry Francona and included Scott Rolen, Bobby Abreu and Mike Lieberthal, they didn't have high expectations entering the season. They wound up going 77-85, despite losing 11 in a row. Early indications from watching the 2026 Phillies are that after four consecutive playoff appearances, this team would be lucky to win 77 games. Now 8-18, the Phillies appear to be nearing a point where a bigger shoe has to drop than just releasing Taijuan Walker.
The two NL East foes will continue their three-game weekend series Saturday evening, with Smyrna, GA native Zack Wheeler set to make his season debut against Bryce Elder and the Braves.
