Kendrys Morales (photo/KC Royals)

Kendrys Morales (photo/KC Royals)

The Kansas City Royals could not solve Phillies starter Jeremy Hellickson in dropping the series opener in Philadelphia by the final of 4-3 Friday night.

Hellickson threw six sharp innings giving up one run and five hits in six innings, striking out six.

Royals starter Ian Kennedy struck out eight but gave up three runs in five innings.

The Royals also surrenderd a home run for the 19th straight game as Odubel Herrera hit a leadoff homer in the first.

Kendrys Morales hit a two run homer for KC in the eigth inning.

The loss snaps the Royals two game winning streak and the Phillies have now won four in a row.