By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
It is only natural for professional athletes to get frustrated, especially those in baseball during its 162-game season. Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Rhys Hoskins exhibited just that during his club's 4-2 series opener loss to the New York Yankees Monday evening at Citizens Bank Park.
With his club down 2-0 in the sixth inning, Hoskins stepped to the plate with two runners in scoring position and one out against newly-entered Yankees reliever David Robertson. Hoskins went 0-2 in two plate appearances in the game leading up to the at-bat, having fouled out and stuck out prior against starter Jonathan Loaisiga.
After falling behind 0-2 against Robertson, Hoskins worked the count even before striking out swinging on a 84 mph knuckle curve, just outside the bottom of the strike zone. Returning back to the dugout, NBC Sports Philadelphia captured Hoskins getting into a heated conversation with a fan sitting behind the Phillies dugout.
Rhys Hoskins says he got frustrated and should not have come out and said something back to the fan
Looked like he said “Go hit” or “Go ahead”pic.twitter.com/HA7u6imvzs
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) June 26, 2018
"Someone said something in the stands that obviously triggered me," Hoskins told reporters after the game. "I was pretty frustrated at the at-bat I just had and compounded the mistake. Got caught up in the moment. Shouldn’t happen. Can’t happen. But it did and that's how it goes."
Phillies manager Gabe Kapler, just as he has done with his players all season, backed up Hoskins and stressed the positive aspects of what he brings to the club. “I think it’s very representative of who I’ve come to know Rhys as. Just a total pro," Kapler said.
"Understanding of what people need from him. Understanding that he has to be accountable for his actions. And willing to meet tough conversations head-on. He’s a very capable leader for this club.”
Since Saturday, Hoskins is slashing .167/.286/.417 with a single, home run, two RBI, one walk and three strikeouts spanning 14 plate appearances. Hoskins has the third-most home runs (11) and RBI (43) on the Phillies this season, trailing Carlos Santana (13 home runs, 46 RBI) and Odubel Herrera (13 home runs, 45 RBI).
