ATLANTA -- A.J. Pierzynski was not even supposed to be in the game on Sunday. Then he wound up being the hero.

The veteran catcher entered the game in the top of the ninth inning when starter Christian Bethancourt was injured on a play at the plate. He singled in the winning run in the bottom of the inning to give the Atlanta Braves a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday and a sweep of the three-game series.

"He had been sitting around since 10 or 11 o'clock," Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "He'd been to the cage, but his legs weren't really loose."

The Braves won it against reliever Luis Garcia (3-6) when shortstop Andrelton Simmons reached on an infield single and took third on a throwing error by third baseman Cody Asche. Simmons stole third base and second baseman Jace Peterson walked.

The Phillies brought in a fifth infielder, but it did not matter. Pierzynski hit the first pitch he saw into left center to drive in the winning run.

"I knew A.J. was going to put the ball in play," Gonzalez said. "It was just a matter of finding some grass out there."

The Braves won all three games in the series by a 2-1 score. It was their first series sweep since they took three straight from the Mets on June 19-21.

Peter Moylan (1-0) was the winning pitcher. It was Moylan's first major league win since 2013 with the Dodgers.

The Braves wasted an outstanding effort from right-hander Julio Teheran. He pitched 8 1/3 innings and allowed one run on five hits, with eight strikeouts and one walk.

"That's about as good as I've seen him in a long time," Gonzalez said. "It was a tremendous performance all the way to the end. He pitched great."

Teheran retired the first 18 batters he faced and escaped eighth-inning trouble to beat Philadelphia for the fourth time this season. It is the fourth consecutive start in which Teheran has allowed two or fewer runs.

"Teheran pitched very well," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "He can be tough when he's on. But I'm tired of giving credit to the other pitchers. I want to give credit to our hitters. We just haven't been able to make adjustments."

The Phillies did not get their first hit until second baseman Freddy Galvis led off the seventh inning with a sharp single up the middle.

"Right now nobody is swinging the bats," Mackanin said. "Nobody is making adjustments on the secondary pitches."

Teheran pitched out of trouble in the eighth. He allowed the first two runners to reach, but catcher Cameron Rupp popped up a sacrifice bunt, which Teheran caught and threw to second for the double play.

The Phillies finally got to Teheran in the ninth. He allowed a one-out single to left fielder Aaron Altherr, a ball that center fielder Cameron Maybin dropped after making a diving catch. Brian Bogosevic, who entered the game to play left field in the fifth inning, singled and chased Teheran.

With runners on first and second, Atlanta brought in Moylan. He retired right fielder Jeff Francoeur on a soft fly to right field but gave up a single to shortstop Andres Blanco. Todd Cunningham, inserted for defense in the top of the inning, threw late to the plate and Altherr scored.

Philadelphia starter Aaron Nola also pitched well. He allowed one run over seven innings, with three walks and four strikeouts.

The Braves scored a run in the first inning. Right fielder Michael Bourn grounded to second base, but Freddy Galvis misplayed the ball and it rolled into the outfield. Originally ruled a two-base error, the scorekeeper changed the ruling to a double.

Atlanta (60-90) now leads Philadelphia (56-94) by four games for fourth place in the National League East, leaving the Phillies in position to get the first pick in the 2016 draft.

NOTES: Atlanta RHP Mike Foltynewicz has developed blood clots in his right arm. He has been hospitalized since Thursday. His status will not be known until further examination. Foltynewicz has been on the disabled list with costochondritis since Sept. 2. ... Philadelphia LF Aaron Altherr was back in the lineup after missing Saturday's game with a sore left wrist. 2B Freddy Galvis started for the second straight day after not starting there all season. ... Atlanta gave RF Nick Markakis the day off. He had started 145 of the team's first 149 games. Michael Bourn started in right field and served as the leadoff hitter. ... Atlanta begins a six-game road trip in New York on Monday. The Braves will send RHP Shelby Miller (5-15, 3.00 ERA) to the mound against New York LHP Jonathon Niese (8-10, 4.31). ... The Phillies continue their road trip with a three-game series against Miami. Philadelphia RHP Aaron Harang (5-15, 5.04) will oppose Miami RHP Tom Koehler (10-13, 3.90 ERA) in the first game on Tuesday.