Schwarber MLB record/ Phillies win over Rays/ Phillies leadoff homer record/ Newslooks/ PHILADELPHIA/ Kyle Schwarber set a new MLB record with his 14th leadoff home run of the season before leaving due to injury, and Cal Stevenson hit a crucial two-run double to break a tie in the eighth inning. The Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 9-4, with Trea Turner contributing two two-run homers.
Schwarber’s Record Leadoff HR and Phillies’ Win: Quick Looks
- Schwarber Sets Record: Kyle Schwarber hit his 14th leadoff homer, setting an MLB single-season record before leaving with an elbow injury.
- Trea Turner Power: Turner hit two two-run homers, contributing to the Phillies’ offensive onslaught.
- Stevenson’s Game-Changer: Pinch-hitter Cal Stevenson hit a two-run double in the eighth inning, giving the Phillies the lead.
- Benches Clear: Nick Castellanos was hit by a pitch in the eighth inning, leading to a bench-clearing incident.
- Harper’s Big Night: Bryce Harper had four hits, including three doubles, though a potential home run was overturned due to fan interference.
Schwarber Breaks Leadoff HR Record as Phillies Beat Rays 9-4
Deep Look
The Philadelphia Phillies secured a 9-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night, highlighted by Kyle Schwarber’s record-breaking 14th leadoff home run of the season. Schwarber, who has been a powerful presence at the top of the Phillies’ lineup, launched a 437-foot home run off Rays pitcher Taj Bradley on just the second pitch of the game, setting the MLB single-season leadoff home run record. He surpassed Alfonso Soriano’s previous mark of 13 leadoff homers set in 2003 with the New York Yankees.
However, Schwarber’s historic night was cut short when he left the game in the fourth inning due to a hyperextended left elbow. He appeared to sustain the injury diving back to first base on a pickoff attempt after walking in the third inning. Despite the setback, Schwarber remained optimistic about returning to the lineup soon, stating, “I didn’t feel pain or nothing… As long as I can withstand the discomfort, I should be able to play.”
The Phillies, currently 87-58 and 29 games over .500, matched their season-high mark with the win. Trea Turner was another key contributor to the victory, hitting two two-run home runs off Bradley. Turner’s power surge gave him his 17th career multi-homer game and his third of the season, further cementing his role as a crucial piece of the Phillies’ offense.
Stevenson’s Clutch Hit
With the game tied 4-4 in the eighth inning, little-used pinch-hitter Cal Stevenson stepped up to deliver a two-run double off Tampa Bay reliever Edwin Uceta. Stevenson, who was recently called up to replace the injured Austin Hays, calmly executed in what he called the biggest moment of his career. “You’re just trying to calm down and stay in the moment,” Stevenson said, reflecting on his game-changing at-bat.
The Phillies continued to pile on after Stevenson’s hit, with Buddy Kennedy adding an RBI single, and Turner capping the inning with his second two-run homer. This offensive explosion helped the Phillies pull away from the Rays and secure the victory.
Benches Clear After Castellanos Is Hit
Tempers flared in the eighth inning when Rays reliever Edwin Uceta hit Nick Castellanos on the hip with a pitch after giving up Harper’s third double of the game. The incident caused both benches and bullpens to clear, with players gathering on the field. Castellanos later said he felt the pitch was intentional, remarking, “We all just got a sense of what it was — he was just [ticked] off that he got hit around and his ERA shot through the roof.”
Uceta denied intentionally hitting Castellanos, stating that it was a changeup that got away from him. However, MLB’s StatCast showed that the pitch was a 96 mph sinker, raising doubts about his explanation.
Bryce Harper, who had four hits on the night, nearly had a home run in the fifth inning, but the play was overturned on replay due to fan interference. A young fan had reached over the railing atop the right field wall to catch the ball, leading to Harper being awarded a double instead of a home run.
Despite the controversy, Harper remained locked in at the plate, contributing three doubles to the Phillies’ win. His passionate reaction to Castellanos being hit included walking toward the mound, though he restrained himself from escalating the situation. “I didn’t want to be a loser and come up behind him,” Harper said. “If he’s going to turn around, then alright, let’s go.”
Rays’ Struggles and Key Performances
For the Rays, who are still in playoff contention, the game marked a missed opportunity. Starter Taj Bradley gave up six runs in 5 1/3 innings, while reliever Richard Lovelady took the loss, allowing two runs in two-thirds of an inning. Junior Caminero had three hits, including an RBI single, while Yandy Diaz and Jose Caballero each contributed RBI singles of their own. Christopher Morel added an RBI triple off the center field wall, the deepest part of the ballpark.
Despite their efforts, the Rays couldn’t overcome the Phillies’ offensive barrage. Uceta’s struggles and the subsequent bench-clearing incident only added to Tampa Bay’s woes.
What’s Next
The Phillies will aim for a series sweep against the Rays on Wednesday. Zack Wheeler (14-6, 2.59 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound for Philadelphia, while the Rays will counter with Shane Baz (2-3, 3.27 ERA). With the playoffs approaching, both teams will be looking to build momentum in the final stretch of the regular season.
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