Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper power Phillies to 9-5 comeback victory over Angels
Coming off his All-Star Game performance, Schwarber hit a grand slam in the sixth inning to give the Phillies the lead. Harper added some insurance with a two-run homer in the eighth.
The Citizens Bank Park crowd was on its feet before Kyle Schwarber even stepped in the batter’s box.
The Phillies had already scored a run in the sixth inning on a single, hit batsman, a walk, and a sacrifice fly. But they were still trailing by one when José Fermin walked Trea Turner to load the bases for Schwarber.
The Angels congregated on the mound with their pitching coach to discuss how to attack the hitter who just days ago had won the All-Star Game for the National League with three homers on three swings.
In the on-deck circle, Schwarber and Bryce Harper held a meeting of their own. Harper had homered off Fermin the day before, and he told Schwarber what he’d seen from the righty’s slider.
But, Harper said, “Kyle doesn’t really need any help.”
» READ MORE: Mike Trout hopes to take part in 2026 All-Star Game in Philly: ‘It would definitely mean a lot’
The first two pitches Fermin threw to Schwarber were sliders, one that missed badly inside and another that found the zone. Then, Fermin tried to blow a fastball by him, but that was what Schwarber was waiting for.
Off the bat, he knew he hit it hard. But it seemed to hang in the air for ages before finally dropping into the right field seats. Schwarber’s 32nd home run and first grand slam of the year put the Phillies in front for what was ultimately a 9-5 win over the Angels.
“That was awesome,” Harper said. “What a moment for him. Sold out crowd, big moment, big opportunity, obviously. And he continues to come through for us.”
When Harper called time in his next at-bat, Schwarber walked up the dugout steps for a curtain call, lifting his helmet to acknowledge the roaring crowd. It capped a wild week for the Phillies’ designated hitter, who took home the All-Star Game MVP on Tuesday.
“You just take it in,” Schwarber said. “Those are the things that you just really do enjoy about those moments. Really enjoying a fan base that cares about their team so much, they want to win, and they’re jumping up and down ready to explode, and they do. You just take that in, and take the moment in, and get ready for the next one.”
On Friday, Phillies owner John Middleton expressed that the Phillies “want to keep” Schwarber, who is set to hit free agency after this season. He isn’t the only one who does.
» READ MORE: Alec Bohm placed on 10-day IL with fractured rib; Phillies recalled Weston Wilson
“He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever been around, and one of the better guys I’ve ever played with,” Harper said. “So I can’t see him in any other uniform, and I think he deserves to be here.”
Harper also provided some firepower on Saturday. He sent a two-run homer to center field in the eighth for some insurance.
The Phillies offense overcome a three-run fourth inning for the Angels. Starter Taijuan Walker was efficient through the first three innings, but then gave up back-to-back solo home runs to Taylor Ward and Jo Addell, followed by four singles.
A sliding grab from Nick Castellanos in right field ended the inning and left the bases loaded.
“It’s one of those innings where I’m glad to just get away with three runs and still kept the team in it,” Walker said.
The Angels, who entered Saturday with the fourth-most home runs in baseball, bashed another solo shot off Seth Johnson in the sixth inning. Schwarber’s grand slam in the bottom of the frame put Johnson in position for his first career win.
It has become even more crucial for both Schwarber and Harper to stay hot now that Alec Bohm has been put on the injured list with a fractured left rib. Phillies manager Rob Thomson estimated Saturday that Bohm could be out 3 to 4 weeks.
» READ MORE: Phillies owner John Middleton on re-signing Kyle Schwarber: ‘ We love him. We want to keep him’
“He’s an impact bat in the middle of our lineup,” Harper said. “He’s definitely going to be missed. Just gotta pick up the slack where it’s at and understand that we got guys filling in.”
It helps to have the National League home run leader and All-Star Game MVP on your side.
“It seems like there’s a moment every other night,” Thomson said. “There’s a lot of moments. And thank God we got him. He’s really something.”