Kyle Schwarber Went Nuclear and the Cubs Never Had a Chance: Phillies Explode for 13 Runs

Kyle Schwarber didn't come to play around on Monday night. The Phillies left fielder absolutely launched two homers, drove in three runs and scored four times to lead Philadelphia past the visiting Cubs 13-7 at Citizens Bank Park in the opener of their three-game set. This was the kind of offensive explosion that matters early in the season when the Phillies had just dropped four of their last five.

Schwarber's Two-Bomb Night Powers the Philly Bats

Schwarber got things rolling early, lifting an 0-1 changeup over the 401-sign in center field for a 1-0 lead in the first inning. It was Assad's first home run allowed all season. But he wasn't done. In the third, Schwarber came through again, belting a two-run shot into the seats in center to stretch it to 4-0. That's the kind of damage that puts games out of reach fast.

The Phillies had plenty of help up and down the lineup. J.T. Realmuto finished with three hits and three RBIs, Brandon Marsh collected three hits with two RBIs and two runs scored, and Adolis Garcia added two hits with an RBI and two runs. Philadelphia absolutely punished Cubs starter Javier Assad, who was tagged for nine runs and 11 hits over just 4 1/3 innings before getting yanked. The Phillies also went 8-for-14 with runners in scoring position, which tells you everything about their efficiency at the plate.

The Cubs Made It Interesting But Couldn't Keep Up

Dansby Swanson cut into the lead with a two-run homer off Cristopher Sanchez in the second, going the other way on a sinker and dropping it into right field to make it 4-2. Ian Happ, Moises Ballesteros and Miguel Amaya each chipped in two hits and a run for Chicago, which has now dropped three of four.

The real damage came in the fifth when the Phillies loaded the bases with no outs. Marsh doubled into the left-center gap for two more, an Alec Bohm sacrifice fly scored another, and both Bryson Stott and Realmuto followed with RBI singles to blow it open at 9-2. The Cubs scored five in the eighth with help from two Phillies errors to make it 13-7, but by then it was way too late. Sanchez went six innings for the Phillies, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out eight.

Philadelphia and Chicago go right back at it. This series is still alive.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.