A three-run first and milestone home run in the third showed promise, but the Kansas City Royals could not maintain the offense against a determined Philadelphia Phillies squad, as the Royals were run up for an 8-6 loss Saturday, Sept. 13 at Citizens Bank Park.
Maikel Garcia delivered the first RBI for the Royals, scoring Vinnie Pasquantino on a line drive to left field. Salvador Perez then brought Garcia home with a two-run shot to left-center field. The Phillies would respond with two runs scoring on Brandon Marsh’s double. The Royals then extended their lead with a second home run from Perez. The solo home run in the third was also Perez’ 300th career home run and his 1000th run batted in. However, the celebrations would be muted when JT Realmuto responded with a sacrifice fly in the third to make it 4-3, then Kyle Schwarber tied the game with his 51st round-tripper of the season in the fifth. Nick Castellanos turned the game into another Royals sob story with a sacrifice fly later in the frame, which the Phillies followed with an RBI double from Otto Kemp.
The Phillies extended the lead with a single in the sixth from Kyle Schwarber. The Royals pulled the run back in the top of the seventh with a sacrifice fly from Pasquantino, only for the Phillies’ Marsh to add a solo home run in the bottom of the frame. Carter Jensen’s single in the eighth brought home Jonathan India, but the Royals could get no closer as Phillies star closer Johan Duran grabbed his 30th save of the year.
Ryan Bergert claimed a no-decision with his four-inning start. He allowed three runs on four hits and three balls, striking out five. Angel Zerpa was tagged with the loss, allowing three runs in the fifth on three hits, one walk and one strikeout.
The Royals (74-75) drop below .500 for the first time in nearly a month, losing their third straight and six of their last seven. They are now seven games behind in the chase for the third wild card spot, which Seattle now splits with Houston along with the AL West lead. Noah Cameron will get the start as the Royals look to avoid a sweep at the hands of a Phillies squad who can lock up the NL East title with a win Sunday afternoon. Pregame is at noon, with first pitch at 12:35 p.m., on KMMO AM 1300.