Luzardo, Phils defeat Royals 6-1 on 4th of July

Jesus Luzardo continued his good run of form with an Independence Day gem as the Philadelphia Phillies (50-39) cruised to a 6-1 victory in their series opener against the Kansas City Royals (35-54).

Luzardo retired the first eight batters of the game, which included striking out the side in the second inning, before allowing an infield single to the speedy Tyler Tolbert in the third, who had two hits and two steals on the night.

Luzardo struck out nine, the fifth time he’s done so this season and third time in his last four starts. It was his fifth straight start going 5+ innings with two or fewer earned runs and the eighth time in his last nine starts.

The Royals’ Michael Wacha held serve with Luzardo early but succumbed in the top of the fourth. After a one-out single by Bryson Stott, JT Realmuto and Gabriel Rincones, Jr. hit back-to-back homeruns to make it 3-0.

The Royals scored their only run in the bottom of the fourth after a one-out double by Lane Thomas and an RBI single by Nick Loftin.

Alec Bohm got that run back in the sixth inning with a leadoff homer, his 11th of the season.

The Phillies tacked on another run in the seventh thanks to some heads up baserunning by Trea Turner, who went third to home on a wild pitch by Royals’ reliever, Lucas Erceg.

Doubles by Rincones and Bohm added one more run to close the scoring in the eighth inning.

Jonathan Bowlan, Orion Kerkering and Tim Mayza each pitched a scoreless frame to shut the door for Luzardo and added to his nine K’s with six of their own.

On the night he was named as an All Star Game starter, Brandon Marsh was the only starter not to record a hit and extended his baseless streak to nine plate appearances. Kyle Schwarber had three hits, all singles.

Game two of their visit to Kansas City will take place tomorrow afternoon as Aaron Nola is scheduled to face off against young righthander, Luinder Avila.