The Philadelphia Phillies opened up a three game series against Kansas City on Friday night at Citizens Bank Park and continued their latest trend of losing very winnable games, as they fell to the Royals 7-5. 

Last night was a rough one at Citizens Bank Park.

If you’re here for the Trea Turner comments after everyone seemingly lost their minds yesterday on social media while engaging in a pointless debate on whether or not to boo Turner or give him a standing ovation, I’m going to save that for it’s own article. 

Aaron Nola Disasterclass

Aaron Nola was absolutely terrible on the mound last night. He lasted just 5.1 innings while allowing eight hits, five earned runs and a walk while striking out eight. With the loss, he fell to 9-8 on the season with a miserable 4.58 ERA. 

To Note: Nola did not and has not received a standing ovation or any type of praise for struggling this season. 

The Phillies did strike first in the bottom of the first inning. With Alec Bohm on first, Nick Castellanos destroyed a home run to left field to give the Phillies an early 2-0 lead. 

Nick Castellanos 2-Run Home Run

Castellanos, who struggled in the month of the June, now has five hits, two home runs, and 5 RBI through the first four days of August.

Unfortunately for Aaron Nola and the Phillies, Bobby Witt Jr. has been scorching hot for the Royals during their now seven game winning streak. 

Bobby Witt Jr during Royals 7-Game Winning Streak: 17-32 (.531), 2 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 3 SB, 1.577 OPS

The Phillies recaptured the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning after Johan Rojas doubled on a fly ball to left field that scored Brandon Marsh and Bryson Stott. 

Johan Rojas 2-RBI Double

Johan Rojas is slashing .289/.325/.693 with 11 hits and 8 RBI over his first 38 at-bats in the MLB. 

Disaster struck Citizens Bank Park in the top of the sixth inning as the Kansas City Royals tacked on four runs to take a 6-4 lead.

Royals 4-Run 6th Inning

• Michael Massey solo home run. 
• Freddy Fermin RBI double.
• Dairon Blanco 2 RBI single. 

The Phillies found themselves in a 6-4 hole and managed to get one back in the bottom half of the six thanks to an RBI single from Trea Turner, that finally gave fans at Citizens Bank Park a sense of accomplishment after they gave their struggling shortstop a standing ovation every time he stepped up to the plate. 

Trea Turner’s Standing Ovation Charity Night at Citizens Bank Park

• Bottom 2nd: Trea Turner lined out to first. (Runner on 2nd)
• Bottom 4th: Trea Turner lined out to shortstop. (Runners on 1st and 2nd)
• Bottom 6th: Trea Turner RBI single to right. (Runner on 2nd)
• Bottom 8th: Trea Turner grounded into fielders choice. 

That was all she wrote from Citizens Bank Park.

On a night where no one seemed to care about anything but showing support for Trea Turner, the Phillies lost at home to a team that entered the night 40 games under the .500.

Phillies Hunt for Red October

Luckily for the Phillies everyone outside of the San Francisco Giants also lost last night. They managed to hang on to the second Wild Card spot with a game advantage over the Cincinnati Reds, while falling 2 behind the San Francisco Giants.

Alec Marsh (0-5, 6.75 ERA) will take the mound for the Royals against Cristopher Sanchez (0-3, 2.66 ERA) at 6:05pm.

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