On Friday afternoon, Philadelphia took the reins on the 2026 MLB All-Star game by revealing a logo at City Hall and hosting an on-field, pre-game ceremony with Phillies All-Star(s) of past and present, including Ryan Howard, Bobby Abreu, Kyle Schwarber, and others. Following the ceremony, the unofficial second half of the baseball season got underway – and started well for the Phillies – before Rob Thomson was forced to lean on his bullpen in a 6-5 loss in South Philly.
Schwarber returns to The Bank with Authority
Schwarber’s luggage was slightly heavier on his return trip to Philadelphia after the 2025 All-Star Game in Atlanta, thanks to his 2025 All-Star Game MVP selection. Despite not registering a hit in the game itself, Schwarber led the National League to a 7-6 win in the Midsummer Classic thanks to three powerful swings in the All-Star Game’s first-ever “swing off”.
Naturally, Schwaber smacked a home run in his first at-bat since Tuesday night. On a 1-1 pitch from Ryan Zeferjahn in the top of the first inning, Schwarber launched a ball to the second row in right field for a 1-0 Phillies lead. “It was pretty amazing,” Thomson said postgame via NBC Sports Philadelphia. “He does amazing things. After that All-Star Game, and then coming up first swing, he hits the ball out of the ballpark. Everybody was kind of like ‘yeah – that’s Schwarb.’”
Harper Makes an Early Statement in the 3rd Frame
Bryce Harper stepped up to the plate in a 1-1 game after Angels outfielder Jorge Soler tied the contest with a solo home run to center field in the top of the second inning. In the bottom of the third frame, Trea Turner singled and Schwarber walked to bring “The Showman” to the plate for his second post-ASG at-bat. On a 3-2 pitch, Harper lifted a ball high into the South Philadelphia night that landed nearly where Schwarber’s first-inning homer finished – the second row of a delirious right field grandstand – for a 4-1 Phillies lead.
Luzardo Struggles in the 4th & 5th Innings
Phillies starter Jesus Luzardo allowed a lead-off double to Mike Trout to open the 4th inning before giving up a two-run home run to Jo Adell, his 20th HR of the year, to trim the Phillies’ lead to 4-3 quickly.
In the 5th inning, Luzardo lost his location a little bit and struggled to retire L.A. hitters. Kevin Newman, Nolan Schanuel, and Trout all hit singles to tie the game at 4-4. After walking his next batter, Taylor Ward, Luzardo was removed from the game by Thomson with a final line score of 4.2 innings, seven hits, four earned runs allowed, two walks, and seven strikeouts.
“I thought early he was pretty good,” Thomson said. “He was throwing strikes. He was attacking the hitters. Thought his slider was really good. As the game went on, he got behind in the count. They hit some good pitches, too. What are you gonna do? ‘
Max Lazar entered the game and tossed four pitches to Adell for the final out of the fifth inning before collecting high-fives from teammates in the dugout for a job well done to get out of the jam with the game still tied at four.
L.A. Tacks on Runs in the 7th Inning
Tanner Banks entered for the seventh inning of a tied ballgame, and it appeared like he’d cruise through the seventh inning unharmed, but things turn quickly in baseball sometimes. After allowing a walk to Schanel, Ward skied a ball to center field that cleared the green wall for a two-run home run … and a very disappointed Citizens Bank Park crowd who was now staring at a 6-4 deficit for the Phillies to overcome.
Harper Provides Hope in the 8th Inning
Trailing two runs and leading off the inning, Harper energized the ballpark with a no-doubt home run to left field that pulled the Phillies within one run at 6-5. It ended a 3-4 evening at the plate for Harper, who finished with two runs scored and four RBIs.
“He looks great,” Thomson said. “Bottle him up and keep him right there. He looks great. He’s using the field. He looks like he’s seeing the ball really well right now.”
The Phillies were unable to seize the momentum from the home run as Alec Bohm and Nick Castellanos grounded out, while Brandon Marsh struck out to end the inning with the Phillies still down one run. Philadelphia was unable to generate any offense against Angels closer Kenley Jansen, who locked down his 17th save of the season in the 6-5 road win in Philadelphia.
Taijuan Walker Gets the Ball in Game 2
Taijuan Walker (3-5, 3.55 ERA) is expected to receive the ball for the middle game of the three-game set on Saturday night. Walker has pitched well since being moved to the bullpen earlier this season. This would be Mick Abel’s turn in the rotation. However, the rookie was optioned back to Triple-A before the All-Star break, with Philly opting to utilize Walker as a spot starter for the time being.
He will be opposed by Yusei Kikuchi, who owns a 4-6 record and a 3.11 ERA in 20 starts this season. Philadelphia will have to be patient against Kikuchi, whose 115 strikeouts this year put him just outside of the top 20 in Major League Baseball.
Game time is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. EST at Citizens Bank Park in South Philadelphia.
Other Notes & Quotes from Phillies vs Angels
Thomson on using Joe Ross in the 9th inning: “He needs to pitch,” Thomson said. “He hasn’t pitched in eight or nine days. We’ve got to get a bunch of these guys in. So, when you are down in the 9th, you can’t be chasing wins. It doesn’t affect tomorrow’s game, but it might affect Sunday’s game.”
Thomson on pinch-hitting Edmundo Sosa for Bryson Stott in the 9th inning (for the first time in two years): “Just waiting for Stotty to get it going,” Thomson stated. “Leading off the inning against a lefty, you got Turner, Schwarber, and Harper coming, so I told him to get somebody on base.”
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
