MILWAUKEE — In a heavyweight battle between two of the National League’s top teams on Monday, the Phillies had their chances to get one step ahead of the Brewers and reduce that magic number even further in the process.

The Phillies outscored Milwaukee 11-8, but left seven players on base and were 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. The missed opportunities piled up and the Phillies lost the series opener 6-2.

“Sixth and seventh (innings), runners on first and second base. Nobody out. We scored one run overall,” manager Rob Thomson said. “We had enough hits to score a couple of runs and we had opportunities, but it just didn’t happen.”

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Baserunning errors hurt the offense. In the third inning, Cal Stevenson was thrown out on a single by Trea Turner while attempting to run from first to third base. Turner then jumped too early while attempting to steal second base and was easily caught by Milwaukee pitcher Aaron Civale.

The Phillies also managed two double plays.

Phillies starter Ranger Suárez allowed three runs and missed a few opportunities as well. Suárez had 16 two-strike counts against Brewers hitters, but only five of them resulted in strikeouts.

“I think I fought against myself tonight,” Suárez said through a team interpreter.

Suárez’s fastball velocity was about the same as his last appearance; his four-seam averaged 91.4 mph and his sinker averaged 90.2 mph. But he used his changeup more often and limited Milwaukee to four hits, rebounding well from the 12 hits that were his career-high against the Rays.

However, Suárez struggled through counts and was hit with three walks, which affected his efficiency. His 104 pitches were the most he has thrown since May 21, and he lasted just five innings. Suárez has not completed six innings in his last six starts.

“I think my pitching was good overall,” Suárez said. “I threw a couple of good curveballs. I felt really good with my changeup as well. … I think tonight was one of those nights where I wasn’t as good as usual in two-strike counts.”

Suárez stumbled as he came off the mound to catch a ball in the fourth inning, jamming his right wrist. He was examined by trainers and stayed in the game after a few practice pitches. He struck out the next batter with a swing and then threw a 1-2-3 fifth, his only such inning of the game.

Suárez said he was fine and the fall was not serious.

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The Brewers struck first, getting a walk, a single and a double from William Contreras to take a 2-0 lead in the third inning. Former Phillie Rhys Hoskins scored another run an inning later when he scored on a sacrifice fly from third base.

“They’re a dangerous offensive club,” Thomson said. “They’re very dynamic. I mean, they can beat you in a lot of ways. They hit bunts, they hit and run, they steal bases.”

José Alvarado took over for Suárez in the sixth inning and allowed his first runs since returning from the restricted list. Joey Ortiz got a hold of Alvarado’s cutter and sent it into the gap in right-center for an RBI triple. Ortiz was driven home by a single from ninth-hole hitter Brice Turang.

Brandon Marsh put the Phillies on the scoreboard in the fifth inning with a solo home run to left field. They scored another run in the seventh inning after Bryson Stott hit a single and JT Realmuto was hit by a pitch. With two strikes, Kyle Schwarber hit an outside sinker, but he hit the ball just enough to push it through the left side of the infield and catch Stott. That was the Phillies’ score.

The Brewers stole three bases in the seventh inning – including two by Blake Perkins – against Realmuto and Tanner Banks. After stealing third base, Perkins scored on a sacrifice fly.

Banks, a left-handed pitcher, has allowed nine stolen bases since arriving in Philadelphia at the trade deadline. Thomson said the Phillies have worked with Banks to stop runners.

“He’s trying to change his pace and he did that a little bit tonight, but we still have some work to do,” Thomson said.