Schwarber’s 30th Homer Leads Phillies Past Mets, Fastest to 30 in Franchise History
Jun 28, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the New York Mets during the seventh inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Kyle Schwarber became the first player in baseball to hit 30 home runs this season, and his two-run shot in the seventh gave the Phillies a 5-4 win over the Mets to take the series.
The Phillies came in looking to take another series from the New York Mets, and they’d have a bullpen game to get that win. With Jesus Luzardo on the mound, that is not a guaranteed thing, so they would have to rise above to get the series win.
The Phillies got the scoring started in the third when Bryce Harper hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Trea Turner, Alec Bohm drove home Schwarber, and then Brandon Marsh drove Bohm, making the game 3-0. The Mets scored a run in the fifth off of Luzardo, but he limited the damage to one. In the sixth, the Mets scored three runs to make the game 4-3 Mets. In the seventh, Schwarber hit a clutch two-run home run to give the Phils the lead, 5-4. After a few adventures by the Phils bullpen, the game ended with this score.
Shawarber is the First to 30 Home Runs
Schwarber has built on his incredible 2025 season and has only improved on his power output. This season, he hit a benchmark with 30 home runs on the first day of the second half of the season. He is the first in Major League Baseball to reach the 30 home run mark; this also made him the fastest Phillie to 30 in a season.
This home run came when the Phils needed it most. Scharber has never had a hit off Kodai Senga, but that changed when he launched a long home run to right center. What has changed this season is the command of the strike zone, especially early in the count. As in this at-bat, he got Senga into an advantageous situation and didn’t miss. This is a snapshot of Schwarber’s season, and he’s a huge part of the turnaround for the Phillies this season, with the whole second half to go. If he is not an all-star, then who is?
Luzardo Dances Out of Danger
This start for Luzardo is also a snapshot of his 2026 season. He pitched well for three innings; he was in total control until the fourth inning, when the cracks started to form. He gave up a run but danced out of trouble. In the next inning, he loaded the bases and danced out of that jam as well. Thankfully for him, the Mets have been abysmal at driving in runners in scoring position this season.
The main issue for Luzardo has been pitch count, which is directly tied to his control. Halfway through the fifth inning, he was already at 90 pitches. This is directly linked to how his control wanes as the game goes on. The entirety of the season, in every start, he seems to lack control of one of his pitches. Most of the time, as it was in this game, he was having trouble locating the sweeper. When he can’t get that pitch over for a strike early on, it’s likely he will have a short outing. Today was a perfect example of this. Luzardo didn’t pitch badly, and he tightened up when he needed to, but if he can work on anything for the second half is to work on controlling his kill pitch, the sweeper.
Phillies Middle Relief Almost Cost Another Win
If this game was an epitome of Luzardo’s season, we can also say this about the Phillies’ middle relief. Chase Shugart came into the sixth inning and gave up three runs. His control was the issue in the game, which would be a pattern all game for the Phils bullpen. He got hit hard because he was trying to locate pitches and missing, so he had to get too much of the plate. He was the one who was ailing from control issues the most, because he only got one out in this outing.
In the next inning, Jose Alvarado ended up loading the bases, but dancing out of the inning. He came through when it was needed and got the strikes to get himself out of the issue. The pattern continued in the eighth inning when Orion Kerkering had trouble spotting his pitches and loaded the bases as well. He was not locating the fastball well, but J.T. Realmuto never lost faith in his fastball and called it in the last at-bat against Francisco Alvarado in the most pivotal moment in the game, and the catcher’s gamble paid off, and he left the bases loaded. Incredibly, this was the Phillies’ 18th one-run win of the season. It says so much about the Phils offense, and Jhoan Duran this season.
Steve Hamilton
Steve may have been born in California, but don’t let that fool you. After dating a local woman and clashing with her and her family over sports for decades, he has an affinity for Philly sports. Balancing love for Philly and Bay Area sports teams may seem impossible, we can all agree that the Cowboys are the true evil.
Get New Articles Emailed Right To Your Inbox:
