The Phillies were back in the United States for just one pitch before Kyle Schwarber decided to announce his June arrival.
While it hasn’t been the typical month of June for Kyle, he set the tone for the Phillies as they continued their road trip in Boston on Tuesday. Schwarber paired with Zack Wheeler to carry the Phils to a 4-1 victory, improving their record to 46-20 on the season. Bryson Stott had a two hit night and Garrett Stubbs stepped right up in the absence of JT Realmuto.
Here is how the Phillies earned their 46th victory of the season.
June Schwarber
It was only a matter of time before Kyle Schwarber homered in June.
Schwarber is the leader among active players for homeruns in the month of June and had been unusually quiet through the first week and a half. A few days off for travel certainly didn’t help his cause, but Schwarber’s new approach this season has landed itself to a larger variety of hits.
Facing Red Sox start Kutter Crawford, Schwarber didn’t waste any time getting the Phillies on the board. A blast to deep right centerfield gave the Phillies a 1-0 lead. This was Kyle’s first game in Fenway since 2021, when he was a member of the Boston Red Sox. He was a Trade Deadline addition that helped spark an ALCS appearance by Boston, who would be eliminated by the Houston Astros that season.
Schwarbs plays well at Fenway and it was apparent by his first swing of the day. The ballpark was full of Phillies fans, likely many who were following the team from London. It got loud when Kyle connected and that energy stayed with the fans for the rest of the night.
Wheels Down in Boston
Zack Wheeler took the mound for the Phillies on Tuesday night. The Phillies’ ace had not pitched in over a week due to the London Series and was amped to get back out on the bump for his team.
Wheeler has been brilliant once again in 2024. Zack has backed up the contract extension he signed this off-season and is well on his way into making a run for the National League Cy Young award. His only issue is that he has three teammates that could realistically beat him to the punch.
The right-hander had a rocky start on Tuesday night, which allowed Boston to knock a couple hits through in the bottom of the first. The Red Sox would tie the game at 1, but that would be the last time they scored in this game.
Wheeler settled in during the second inning and that was all he needed from there. Zack went 7 innings, striking out 4 batters, allowing 3 hits, and just the 1 run. Boston did not get a hit off of the Phillies’ starter after the second inning. Wheels put the Phillies in great position to take the opening game of the series by delivering another quality start.
Phillies take advantage
In the top of the fourth inning the Phillies stole the lead back from the Red Sox. In what was a 1-1 tie, an error on a close play at first base would allow for both Bryce Harper and Bryson Stott to score. What should have been a routine play would virtually end the game for Boston.
A second Kyle Schwarber home run would land in the seats of Fenway during the top of the fifth inning, giving the Phillies a 4-1 lead. This would be the final, as the bullpens for both squads pitched to scoreless innings.
Matt Strahm would take the eighth inning for the Phils, striking out all three Red Sox batters he faced. Striking out the side helped lower Matt’s earned run average for the season to just 0.67. This would open the door for Jose Alvarado to bounce back from a rough outing in London. Rob Thomson gave his closer a chance to shake off Sunday’s performance with a save opportunity on Tuesday.
Alvarado did allow a hit in the frame but would settle in from there. Jose struck out the best Boston had to offer in Rafael Devers, ending the ballgame.
Photo Credit: (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
