The already slim playoff chances became even slimmer last night for the Phillies.

Their series opener against Atlanta started out well for the first six innings, but the Braves got a run in the bottom of the seventh thanks to a Lucas Duda double. They got four more in the following inning en route to an 8-3 win over the Phils. Their magic number to clinch the division is down to four games.

Vince Velasquez went three innings and gave up three runs off five hits. Atlanta’s Kevin Gausman gave up those same numbers in 6 1/3. Tommy Hunter gave up the Duda double in the seventh and Luis Garcia gave up all four runs in the eighth and couldn’t record an out.

So with that, two more wins in the rest of this three-game series for the Braves clinches them the division. They’ll play again tonight at 7:35 PM on NBC Sports Philadelphia with Nick Pivetta on the mound against Julio Teheran. Saturday will feature Jake Arrieta against Mike Foltynewicz and Sunday’s matchup will be Aaron Nola against Anibal Sánchez.

The Roundup:

Another day of practice for the Birds, but they still don’t have Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles:

They also brought back WR DeAndre Carter and TE Billy Brown to the practice squad. According to a now deleted tweet by NFL agent Brett Tessler, offensive lineman Josh Andrews is expected to return to the team as a member of the practice squad.

Fletcher Cox doesn’t like the lack of national recognition.

“You can turn the tape on and see that all I do is go out and play my game, very humble about it,” he said. “As long as the guy across from me, I respect that guy and he respects me, and I just go out and be the best player I can be on Sunday.”

Cox, 27, has been named to the Pro Bowl three times and has also been named second-team All Pro three times over seven seasons. He added Super Bowl champion to the resume in February. Motivated by the perceived slight, he has upped the ante this season, establishing the goal of becoming NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

The Sixers officially introduced new General Manager Elton Brand. It caps off a wild and surprising rise for the “Old School Chevy.”

NBC Sports Philadelphia officially named Serena Winters as Molly Sullivan’s replacement.

The Flyers made 11 cuts and sent 10 of them to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, including centers Mike Vecchione and German Rubtsov. They did sign impressive defenseman Yegor Zamula to an entry-level deal and then rewarded him with being assigned back to his junior club.

Goalie Alex Lyon will miss four weeks with a lower-body injury. Looks like Anthony Stolarz will be the starting goalie for the Phantoms once the regular season hits.

The Flyers will play the Islanders, again, tonight in Lehigh Valley.

The Philadelphia Union continue to defy logic with their franchise-record 13th win Wednesday night. They take on Sporting Kansas City on Sunday.

RADIO WARS! Marc Farzetta is joining The Fanatic’s Morning Show. Anthony Gargano was pulled from a previously scheduled players show at Chickie’s & Pete’s in Marlton. And he isn’t on the Morning Show today.

In other sports news, the Cleveland Browns won last night. And they ran Philly Special! And they called that play Philly Special!

A fan also got an opossum:

FanDuel Sportsbook is offering a guaranteed bet on the Eagles or Giants this weekend.

Speaking of FanDuel, they are paying a full $82,000 bet to a man that made it during Sunday’s Broncos win over the Raiders.

In the news, a new plan will aim to get rid of Center City’s traffic congestion.

There’s more police presence at Conestoga High School after a threat was made via text.

Suge Knight pleaded no contest to manslaughter and faces over 25 years of prison.