Schwarber’s Power Surge Lifts Phillies Past Reds, 4–1
CINCINNATI — On a warm Monday night in Cincinnati, Kyle Schwarber gave the crowd at Great American Ball Park a show they won’t soon forget. The Phillies slugger, back in his home state of Ohio, launched his 42nd home run of the season — a towering two-run blast in the eighth inning — to cap a dramatic four-run rally that pushed the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies to a 4–1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.
The win was the Phillies’ fourth straight and extended their division lead to six games over the idle Mets. Schwarber’s shot moved him past Shohei Ohtani into the National League home run lead and inched him closer to triple-digit RBIs with 97 on the year. Only Seattle’s Cal Raleigh, with 45 homers, has more in all of baseball.
A Duel Until the Eighth
For most of the night, Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott was in complete control. Coming off a rocky outing against the Cubs, Abbott looked locked in, retiring the first 12 Phillies he faced and allowing just three hits over seven innings. Cincinnati’s early 1–0 lead — courtesy of a TJ Friedl double and Gavin Lux RBI single in the first — looked like it might hold.
That changed in the eighth. With two outs and Abbott still dealing, Weston Wilson roped an RBI double to tie the game. Trea Turner followed with another run-scoring double, chasing Abbott from the mound. The Reds turned to reliever Tony Santillan, but Schwarber wasted no time unloading on a pitch, sending it deep into the Cincinnati night and sealing the Phillies’ comeback.
Defensive Gem Keeps It Close
Not everything went Philadelphia’s way early. In the seventh, with the tying run on third, Reds right fielder Noelvi Marte made a laser throw to nail Bryce Harper at the plate, preventing the Phillies from scoring and keeping the tension high before the eighth-inning breakthrough.
Closing It Out
Philadelphia’s bullpen handled the rest. Jordan Romano (2–4) earned the win in relief, while Orion Kerkering worked a perfect ninth for his third save in seven chances. Starter Taijuan Walker gave the Phillies a solid six innings, allowing just the lone first-inning run.
Home Sweet (Ohio) Home
For Schwarber, the blast carried extra meaning. The Middletown, Ohio native has now hit 13 career home runs at Great American Ball Park — more than any other road venue in his career.
Up Next:
Game 2 of the series is set for Tuesday, with Phillies lefty Ranger Suárez (8–5, 2.94 ERA) squaring off against Reds right-hander Brady Singer (9–9, 5.43 ERA).
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