Royals Report: 5 Things About 4-3 Loss In Philadelphia
By John Viril
![Jul 1, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco (7) and center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) celebrate a victory against the Kansas City Royals at Citizens Bank Park. The Philadelphia Phillies won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports Jul 1, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco (7) and center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) celebrate a victory against the Kansas City Royals at Citizens Bank Park. The Philadelphia Phillies won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fkingsofkauffman-com-2Ffiles-2F2016-2F07-2Fodubel-herrera-maikel-franco-mlb-kansas-city-royals-philadelphia-phillies-829x560-cafecae76b43109f881ab34b6813a410.jpg)
The Royals dropped the opening game of their three game series against the Phillies, losing 4-3 at Citizen’s Bank Park in Philadelpia.
7. Final. 4. 6. 3
The Kansas City Royals dropped to 42-37, and 7.0 games behind the surging Cleveland Indians who won their 14th straight on Friday night. The Phillies improved to 36-45, and 13 games behind the Nationals in the NL East.
The KC Royals were unable to extend their two-game road winning streak, despite the Phillies riding a seven-game home losing skid coming into the game. However, Philadelphia had won three in a row on the road. The Kansas City Royals need to at least split the remaining two games to earn a much-need winning road trip.
Phillies starter Jeremy Hellickson made the Royals hitters look silly most of the night, lasting 6.0 innings while allowing only 5 hits, 1 walk, and 1 earned run with 6 strikeouts. The KC Royals did pull within two runs in the eighth inning on Kendrys Morales two-run home run, but they weren’t able to mount a credible threat against Phillies closer Jeanmar Gomer in the ninth.
On to my observations about the game:
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