Kyle Schwarber wasted no time making history again Wednesday, blasting his 13th leadoff home run of the season to match a major league record and spark the Phillies to a 4-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Schwarber's shot, a 416-foot drive into the second deck off Bowden Francis, came on the second pitch of the game, setting the tone for a two-game sweep at Rogers Centre.
Cristopher Sánchez (10-9) was sharp over seven innings, striking out seven without issuing a walk. The Phillies’ lefty allowed two runs on six hits, including five doubles, but limited further damage as Philadelphia (83-56) extended its NL East lead and notched its fourth consecutive win, their ninth in the last 11 games.
Schwarber, fresh off a three-homer night on Tuesday, homered for the fourth time in seven at-bats and added a single in the second inning. His leadoff blast tied Alfonso Soriano’s single-season record, and his 32nd homer of the year moved him into a tie with Brady Anderson for ninth all-time with 44 career leadoff home runs. He finished 2-for-3, walking in the eighth before being replaced by a pinch runner.
Bryce Harper left the game in the first inning after being hit by a 92 mph fastball on the elbow. Edmundo Sosa took over at third base, with Kody Clemens shifting to first. Clemens later launched his fourth home run of the season in the second inning, a solo shot that restored Philadelphia’s lead after Toronto’s Daulton Varsho, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Alejandro Kirk had tagged Sánchez for three straight doubles to open the game.
Harper told reporters he felt "good" after the contest and that it was just a contusion to his elbow.
Jeff Hoffman handled the eighth, and Carlos Estévez locked down his 24th save in 28 chances. J.T. Realmuto added some insurance with a solo homer off Ryan Burr in the ninth, his 12th of the year.
Francis (8-4) took the loss, giving up three runs on six hits over six innings, snapping a streak of wins dating back to August 4.
The Phillies head to Miami next, with Ranger Suárez (11-6, 3.02 ERA) set to face the Marlins' Adam Oller (1-1, 3.31 ERA) in the opener of a four-game set Thursday.
