After being shutout in their last two games, the Phillies hoped to find some success against the league leader in ERA. Predictably, it didn’t go well.

Cam Smith’s eighth-inning RBI single proved to be the difference as the Houston Astros (48-33) beat the Philadelphia Phillies (47-34) 2-1 on Thursday afternoon at Daikin Park. It’s the fourth time the Phillies have been swept this season.

The Phillies are now tied with the New York Mets for first place in the National League East.

Locked in a tight 1-1 game, manager Rob Thomson turned to Orion Kerkering in the eighth inning. Despite allowing a couple of baserunners, it looked like Kerkering would be able to navigate his way out of trouble as he had Smith down to two strikes.

Smith battled, and was able to reach a 97 mph sinker, hitting it just over Trea Turner’s outstretched glove and into left field, scoring Isaac Paredes from second. It was the first earned run allowed by Kerkering since May 6. Bryan Abreu closed out the ninth inning, striking out the side and securing the 2-1 win.

Like Ranger Suárez and Zack Wheeler the last two games before him, Sánchez pitched superbly against the Astros lineup, but received no run support. The lefty went six innings, striking out 11 batters while allowing just one run on five hits and no walks.

The only run that Sánchez allowed came in the second inning. After Jake Meyers singled and Smith was hit by a pitch, a Yainer Diaz single drove home Meyers to give Houston the lead. Sánchez was able to limit the damage from there, striking out the next two batters to leave the inning down just one.

The Phillies couldn’t muster a response, running into the buzzsaw that was Brown. The righty pitched seven innings, allowing three hits and no walks to go along with nine punch outs. Brown continued the trend that existed for the entirety of this series, keeping the Phillies’ bats off-balance.

Once Brown was lifted, the Phillies were finally able to create some offense. Bryson Stott drew a walk before Rafael Marchan singled the other way, setting up runners on the corner for Brandon Marsh. Marsh lifted a ball into deep right field for a sacrifice fly, scoring Stott and tying the game at one.

The matinee game was a microcosm of the entire series. Houston only outscored the Phillies 5-1 over the three games, but consistently came up with timely hits and big outs, a recipe that enabled them to win all three matchups.

Up next, the Phillies will travel to Atlanta and take on the division rival Braves. The first meeting in the three-game series will be played on Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.