PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies seemed to be headed toward clinching the National League East in storybook fashion on Sunday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park.

Needing only a win to secure their second straight division title, Kyle Schwarber got things started early with his 52nd homer of the season. J.T. Realmuto added one of his own two batters later to give the Phillies a two-run lead in the first inning.

Meanwhile, Aaron Nola -- who had been the Phillies' starting pitcher for postseason clinchers in 2022 and '23, and the division clincher in '24 -- retired the first nine Royals batters he faced and cruised through four scoreless innings.

Kansas City, however, rallied in the middle innings to put the celebration on hold by handing Philadelphia a 10-3 loss . The Phils could have still

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