Schwarber sets MLB leadoff HR mark, Stevenson delivers tiebreaking hit as Phillies top Tampa Bay Rays 9-4

By Anthony Sanfilippo
Published  September 10, 2024 9:55pm EDT
Associated Press
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    PHILADELPHIA - Kyle Schwarber set an MLB record with his 14th leadoff homer of the season before leaving due to injury, and pinch-hitter Cal Stevenson hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the eighth inning as the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Tampa Bay Rays 9-4 on Tuesday night.

    Trea Turner hit two, two-run homers and Bryce Harper added four hits as the Phillies (87-58) moved 29 games over .500, matching a season high.

    Schwarber set the single-season leadoff homer record on the second pitch he saw from Taj Bradley, sending the ball 437 feel to center field for a 1-0 lead and moving past Alfonso Soriano, who had 13 leadoff homers with the New York Yankees in 2003. The Phillies designated hitter left the game in the fourth inning due to left elbow discomfort after reaching on a walk in the third and appearing to get hurt diving back into first base on a pickoff try.

    PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 10: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting a solo home run during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Citizens Bank Park on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvan …

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    Schwarber’s 35th homer of the season was the 45th leadoff homer of his career, with 32 coming since joining the Phillies in 2022.

    The little-used Stevenson, who was recalled from the minors earlier this month to replace the injured Austin Hays, hit in place of Johan Rojas with two men on in the bottom of the eighth. He drove a 2-2 changeup from Tampa reliever Edwin Uceta down the right field line, scoring two runs.

    The Phillies piled on from there, with an RBI single by Buddy Kennedy and Turner’s second homer of the game.

    After Harper doubled, Uceta hit Nick Castellanos on the hip with a pitch, causing both benches and bullpens to empty and gather on the infield grass. Uceta was ejected from the game.

    Turner also homered off Bradley in the third inning and had his 17th career multi-homer game, and third this season.

    Harper, who has not homered since since Aug. 9 and has a homerless streak at Citizens Bank Park dating to July 27, appeared to have had a homer in the fifth inning. But the play was overturned upon replay review because of fan interference after a young fan reached over the railing atop the right field wall and caught the ball.

    Harper was given a double and was left stranded as Castellanos flew out and Bryson Stott grounded out to end the inning. Harper had three doubles in a game for the third time in his career and the first time since Aug. 2021.

    Jose Alvarado (2-5) pitched a perfect eighth inning with two strikeouts and earned the victory.

    The Rays nickel-and-dimed Phillies starter Ranger Suarez for four runs on 12 hits in the first six innings.

    Junior Caminero had three hits and an RBI, and Yandy Diaz and Jose Caballero each had an RBI single for the Rays. Christopher Morel had an RBI triple off the top of the wall in center field, the deepest part of the ballpark.

    Richard Lovelady (3-6) was tagged with the loss. He gave up two runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning in relief.

    UP NEXT

    The Phillies and Rays wrap up a three-game series on Wednesday. RHP Zack Wheeler (14-6, 2.59 ERA) will pitch for Philadelphia. The Rays will turn to RHP Shane Baz (2-3, 3.27).

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