As Kyle Schwarber goes, the Phillies go.
That’s been the case all season, as Schwarber’s historic production has lifted the Phillies to the top of the NL East standings.
It was certainly the case on Thursday night at Citizens Bank Park.
Schwarber became just the 21st player in baseball history to hit four home runs in one game as the Phillies clobbered the visiting Braves 19-4 to begin this four-game series.
Let’s run down the superlatives for Schwarber.
It was just the fourth four-home run game in the Phillies’ 143-year history. Schwarber joins Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt, Chuck Klein and Ed Delahanty.
He now has 49 home runs this season, a new career-high. Those 49 homers are the second most in a single-season in franchise history. Only Ryan Howard has more (58 home runs in 2006). Schwarber is on pace for 59 home runs this season.
Schwarber’s nine RBI on Thursday are the most ever by a Phillie in a single game. He raised his season total to 119, the most in baseball. He trails only the Mariners’ Cal Raleigh (50) in home runs.
The MVP chants aren’t going away any time soon.
Schwarber rode a 0-for-20 skid into this series opener against Atlanta. He was front and center in the Phillies’ offensive frustrations at Citi Field earlier this week.
Schwarber struggles, the Phillies struggle.
Schwarber erupts, the Phillies erupt.
He got the home team on the board in the first inning with a 450-foot solo shot to the second deck in right field. Schwarber’s second homer of the night came during the Phillies’ six-run fourth inning, a towering 2-run blast tucked inside the right field foul pole. He secured the hat trick with a three-run home run to left center field in the 6th inning. Then with 41,000 plus on their feet in the seventh inning, Schwarber delivered a line drive to the rightfield seats.
The only real disappointment on this night was the fact that Schwarber didn’t get number five in the eighth inning. With Braves infielder Vidal Brujan pitching, Schwarber flew out to shallow left field. He exited the field to a standing ovation.
Schwarber accounted for four of the Phillies’ franchise-record seven home runs on the night. Bryce Harper (22nd of the year), J.T. Realmuto (11) and Max Kepler (14) also got in on the act. Harrison Bader finished a home run shy of the cycle, going 4-5 with a double, triple and three runs scored.
The Phillies scored a season-best 19 runs on 20 hits, 11 of which went for extra bases. They feasted on Braves starter Cal Quantrill early and often, tagging him for nine runs in three and one-third innings. Quantrill now has a 15.55 ERA in three starts against the Phillies this season.
The night started ominously, with Aaron Nola surrendering three runs on three hits and two walks in the first inning. But after putting the Phillies in that early 3-0 hole, Nola settled down in a big way. He limited the Braves to one hit over his final five innings of work. After taking 37 pitches to get through the first inning, Nola needed just 58 pitches in innings two through six.
Nola allowed four earned runs in six innings in his third start since returning from a three-month stint on the injured list.
Nola had four strikeouts on the night, raising his career total to 1,845. He passed Cole Hamels to move into third place on the Phillies career strikeout list, trailing only Steve Carlton (3,031) and Robin Roberts (1,871). Not bad company for the longest- tenured Phillie.
The Phillies offense didn’t waste any time picking Nola up, scoring five runs against Quantrill in the first inning. They added a run in the third before putting the game out of reach with six runs in the fourth.
It was a team effort for the Phillies bats. Every starter had at least one hit by the fourth inning. But just as it’s been all season – one hitter stood apart from the rest.
Kyle Schwarber’s historic power display won’t soon be forgotten.
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