Kyle Schwarber hit a go-ahead two-run homer with one out in the seventh inning off Kodai Senga on Sunday afternoon as the visiting Philadelphia Phillies secured a 5-4 win over the New York Mets.
The Phillies lost a three-run lead by giving up a run in the fifth and three in the sixth but quickly regained the lead in the seventh against Senga (0-7), who threw two scoreless innings before facing Schwarber for the second time.
Rookie Justin Crawford led off the seventh with a single to left field, and Schwarber came up after Trea Turner fouled out. Facing four straight forkballs, Schwarber hit a 1-2 fastball to center field, giving the Phillies a 5-4 lead.
Schwarber reached 30 homers for the sixth straight season and eighth time in his career. Schwarber’s homer also helped the Phillies improve to 38-18 in their past 56 games and move 10 games over .500 for the second time in three days.
Besides homering, Schwarber also singled and stole second during a three-run third that gave the Phillies a 3-0 lead against Tobias Meyers. Bryce Harper hit a sacrifice fly that preceded an RBI double by Alec Bohm and a run-scoring single by Brandon Marsh.
Philadelphia’s Jesus Luzardo allowed one run on four hits while escaping two major jams in five innings. The left-hander struck out six and walked three.
After Chase Shugart allowed three runs in the sixth, Kyle Backhus (1-0) got the final two outs. Jose Alvarado retired Brett Baty with two on to end the seventh after his throwing error put runners at second and third.
Orion Kerkering survived a bases-loaded jam in the eighth by striking out Francisco Alvarez. Jhoan Duran pitched a scoreless ninth for his 21st save.
Rookie Carson Benge hit an RBI single in the fifth. After Benge’s hit, Luzardo struck out Bo Bichette and retired Eric Wagaman with the bases loaded.
Rookie A.J. Ewing hit a tying two-run homer as a pinch hitter and Benge drove in another run with a groundout that scored Baty after Backhus deflected the ball. Following a base hit by Juan Soto, Bichette flew out.
New York stranded 14, went 2-for-16 with runners in scoring position and lost for the eighth time in nine games.
After opener Cionel Perez retired the side in the first, Meyers allowed three runs on six hits in three innings. Senga allowed two runs in five innings.
