Schwarber’s Clutch Double and Record-Breaking Homer Propel Phillies to Thrilling 9-6 Victory Over Athletics
When the Philadelphia Phillies stepped into the batter’s box Saturday night, no one quite expected the dramatic flair that unfolded deep into extra innings. But boy, did they deliver. Trailing and toe-to-toe with the Athletics, the Phillies erupted for a three-run surge in the 11th inning, sealing a 9-6 victory that not only padded their record but firmly anchored them atop the MLB standings at 34-18. Kyle Schwarber was the star of the night—clubbing a clutch 2-run double off Mitch Spence that turned the tide and pushed the Phillies into the driver’s seat. Meanwhile, Max Lazar’s closing effort cemented the deal, rounding off a night where Philadelphia’s resilience and power were on full display.
What really gets the juices flowing here is Schwarber’s performance overall. With his 18th homer — yessir, that ties him with Aaron Judge atop the home run leaderboard — he’s not just hitting balls; he’s announcing his presence, boosting his OPS to a lethal .977, which ranks him fourth across the majors. The game wasn’t just one-sided fireworks though; the Athletics answered back, weaving a tense, back-and-forth tussle highlighted by big hits from Nick Kurtz and Tyler Soderstrom, and clutch homers from Brent Rooker and Max Kepler that kept the scoreboard ticking and hearts pounding.
In the 10th, with everything on the line and the bases loaded, Brandon Marsh’s timely catch and near-miracle throw to cut down Logan Davidson at home was vintage Phillies defense — the kind that makes or breaks seasons. Then, Orion Kerkering wove his magic on the mound, setting up Schwarber’s heroics to cap the inning with a flourish, and Nick Castellanos added the icing with a sacrifice fly that gave Philadelphia breathing room and the ultimate edge.
It’s not just a win; this was the Phillies cruising to their ninth straight victory — their 10th in 11 games — a blistering streak that has turned heads and redefined their place in the early-season hierarchy. Since late April, they’ve refused to lose back-to-back games as they climb two full games ahead of the Dodgers and hold a comfy three-game lead over the Mets in the NL East going into Sunday’s finale against the Athletics. Talk about momentum—the Phillies are riding high, and it feels like they’re here to stay.
The Philadelphia Phillies scored three runs in the 11th inning to get a 9-6 win over the Athletics on Saturday night. Kyle Schwarber put the Phillies on top with a 2-run double off Mitch Spence and Max Lazar closed out the win, boosting Philadelphia’s record to an MLB-best 34-18.
Post Comment