Phillies frustrated by Yanks before big crowd

PHILADELPHIA -- Rhys Hoskins is the face of the Phillies. He is their most marketable player and a major reason the organization transformed itself from National League doormat to postseason contender since his debut last August.
Hoskins wanted to come through with a big hit in the sixth inning Monday night in a 4-2 loss to the Yankees at Citizens Bank Park. He wanted to silence the Yankees fans that filled the sold-out ballpark.
Instead, he struck out and jawed with a fan behind the Phillies' dugout.
"I was in the wrong," Hoskins said afterward. "Someone said something in the stands that triggered me. I was pretty frustrated by the at-bat. Got caught up in the moment. Shouldn't happen. Can't happen. But it did."

Yankees right-hander Jonathan Loáisiga carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning with a 2-0 lead, when Jorge Alfaro hit a leadoff single to right field. Aaron Altherr followed with a walk to give the Phillies their first legitimate scoring threat of the night.
But after César Hernández's fielder's choice advanced the runners to second and third, Hoskins struck out swinging for the second out. Hoskins' third strike got past Yankees catcher Austin Romine, but Hoskins did not run immediately because he said he did not know the ball got behind Romine. As he returned to the dugout, a fan said something to him. Hoskins responded.
Hoskins continued down the dugout steps, removed his helmet and then returned up the steps to continue the conversation with the fan.
Hoskins appeared to tell the fan he should try hitting. He later said he did not know what the fan said to him.
"Obviously, there's a lot going on," he said. "Big game. Big situation in the game. It's late in the game. Don't even remember. Can't even tell you what he looks like."

The game had a playoff-like atmosphere, one not felt in Philadelphia in years. But it was noticeable that Yankees fans dominated the cheering from the stands. The Phillies insisted they did not mind, with Phillies manager Gabe Kapler going as far as saying they "really heard the power and the energy of ours."
"It was fun. Good atmosphere," Hoskins said. "We as players dream of that. Obviously, we like it to be swayed more our way. But that's the Yankees. The Yankees travel. They always do. They always will, no matter where they are. I've never been in a playoff baseball game, but I imagine that's pretty close to what it feels like."

A strong week at home would put the Phillies in a stronger position to compete for a postseason berth. They are 41-35. They play two more games against the Yankees this week before playing four games against the Nationals.
The Phillies then play 20 of 23 games next month against teams with losing records. If the Phillies fare well in July, they could make some additions at the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline. And maybe then they will get a few more fans in the seats.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Phillies right-hander Vince Velasquez walked three of the first six batters he faced, including Greg Bird to start the second inning. Bird advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on Gleyber Torres' double to right field to hand the Yankees a 1-0 lead. Velasquez threw 35 pitches to the Yankees' first seven batters, but he settled down after that. He allowed three hits, two runs and four walks and struck out seven in six innings.

SOUND SMART
The Phillies announced a sellout crowd of 44,136 fans. It was the largest crowd (not including Opening Day) at Citizens Bank Park since Sept. 22, 2013, when 44,398 watched Cliff Lee lose to the Mets.
YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
Maikel Franco ripped a solo homer to left-center field in the ninth inning against Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman. The homer, which left Franco's bat at 104.1 mph, was his 10th of the season. Franco is 2-for-3 with two home runs and four RBIs in his career against Chapman. Franco hit a game-tying, three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning against Chapman on June 3, 2015, when he pitched for the Reds.

So Franco likes facing Chapman then?
"I've got to say yes because I've got two home runs against him," Franco said, smiling. "I know he throws hard. He's always going to give you something hard. I just try to be ready for it."
HE SAID IT
"I think it's a necessary thing. In today's world, I know that everything gets caught. I just kind of assumed that it was. I was in the wrong. I think it's right to address it, move on from it, and it won't be a distraction." -- Hoskins, on why he was waiting for reporters at his locker after the game
UP NEXT
Phillies right-hander Jake Arrieta (5-5, 3.42 ERA) faces Yankees right-hander Luis Severino (11-2, 2.24 ERA) on Tuesday night in the second game of a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park. Arrieta had a 0.90 ERA in five starts in May, but he has a 6.97 ERA in four starts in June. Arrieta is 3-1 with a 3.83 ERA in eight career games (seven starts) against the Yankees. He has not faced them since 2012.