Philadelphia Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber hits a home run off of Kansas City Royals pitcher Angel Zerpa during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Phillies’ Brandon Marsh celebrates after hitting a home run off of Kansas City Royals pitcher Taylor Clarke during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber, left, celebrates with Bryce Harper after hitting a home run off of Angel Zerpa during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Phillies’ Donovan Walton, left, scores past Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez off of a RBI single by Kyle Schwarber during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto and pitcher Jhoan Duran, celebrate after the Phillies defeated the Kansas City Royals at a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Schwarber hits 51st homer to lift Phillies over Royals
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kyle Schwarber hit his 51st home run, Brandon Marsh also went deep and the Philadelphia Phillies won their sixth straight game with an 8-6 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night.
Philadelphia Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber hits a home run off of Kansas City Royals pitcher Angel Zerpa during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kyle Schwarber hit his 51st home run, Brandon Marsh also went deep and the Philadelphia Phillies won their sixth straight game with an 8-6 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night.
Harrison Bader contributed three hits for the Phillies, who can clinch their second straight NL East title by completing a three-game sweep of Kansas City in the series finale on Sunday afternoon.
Taijuan Walker (5-8) benefited from strong run support, giving up four runs on seven hits in five innings.
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Jhoan Duran tossed a 1-2-3 ninth for his 30th save in 33 opportunities.
Salvador Perez homered twice for the Royals, who lost their sixth in the last seven to further hurt their slim playoff chances.
Angel Zerpa (5-2), in relief of starter Ryan Bergert, gave up three runs in the fifth inning when Philadelphia went in front for good.
Schwarber tied the game at 4 by leading off the frame by sending a 1-1, 86-mph slider into the seats in right. He pulled within seven homers of tying Ryan Howard for the single-season franchise record, set in 2006.
Bader, filling in for as Philadelphia’s leadoff hitter, has multiple hits in six consecutive games.
Key moment
Nick Castellanos’ pinch-hit sacrifice fly four batters after Schwarber’s home run put the Phillies in front 5-4.
Key stat
13.50 — Bergert’s ERA in his last two starts after a 2.43 mark in his first six starts after being .
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Up next
Kansas City LHP Noah Cameron (7-7, 3.00 ERA) faces Philadelphia RHP Aaron Nola (4-8, 6.24) on Sunday afternoon when the Phillies try to complete a 7-0 homestand.
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