AUDIO: Royals Drop Series to Phillies
What was shaping up as a Mothers Day pitchers duel turned quickly in to a Philadelphia Phillies rout. The Phillies scored six times in the fifth inning for all the offense they would get, and need, in a 6-1 triumph over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday afternoon.
After easing through four shutout frames, Royals starting pitcher Jakob Junis lost his groove, and the strike zone, in the fifth after an Adalberto Mondesi error put a runner aboard with one out. After a walk, Jean Segura’s RBI single tied the game at 1-1. Junis then walked Bryce Harper to load the bases and Rhys Hoskins to force in a run from third. Reliever Richard Lovelady allowed all three inherited runners, plus one of his own, to score on a two-run double by JT Realmuto and a two-run single from Odubel Herrera.
Junis exited after four and a third innings having allowed five runs (four earned) on three hits and five walks. The number of walks issued was a career-high as his record fell to 3-4 on the season and his ERA rose to 5.77.
In his major league debut, Phillies starting pitcher Cole Irvin baffled the Royals offense. Irvin allowed just one run in seven frames on only five hits while striking out five.
The Royals lone run came in the third inning. With two out and two on, Alex Gordon flared a broken bat single to left field. Cam Gallagher came around from second while Billy Hamilton, the trail runner, sped toward third. The throw went into third and initially Hamilton was ruled out on a tag play that would have negated Gallagher’s run. But the Royals challenged the call and the play was reversed, giving Gordon his 31st RBI of the season. The inning ended one batter later when Hunter Dozier grounded out, and the Royals did not have a runner get past first base for the rest of the game.
The defeat drops the Royals to 14-27 on the season. They are off Monday before starting a three-game series with the Texas Rangers Tuesday night at Kauffman Stadium.
