Kyle Schwarber Hits 200th Home Run, Ends Phillies Winless Streak

After a slow start, Kyle Schwarber is starting to heat up. Schwarber hit an early home run last night against the New York Yankees, which helped the Phillies secure their first win of the season; and the timing couldn’t have been better. After losing their first 4 games, the Phils were flirting with their worst start since 1934.

Schwarber, who hit a career-high 46 home runs last year, only had 1 hit on 17 at-bats heading into Tuesday night’s match-up against the Yankees. He was a total non-factor in the Phillies’ first 4 games, but that all changed early in the the first inning when he hit a 425-foot home run off of Domingo Germán’s second pitch of the game. That home run was Schwarber’s 200th in his 9-year career.

“It feels good. I think the biggest thing is being able to start with a lead. I think the personal accomplishments, those things kind of will come after you’re done playing. Cool stat, definitely a cool thing but happy about the win.” -Kyle Schwarber after hitting his 200th career home run

Fast starts are something that Phillies have missed this season. The momentum from playing with a lead cannot be understated and home runs tend to be contagious. At the top of the third, Brandon Marsh hit a 436-foot bomb over center field that hit the Yankees’ bullpen. The Phils then batted-in 2 more runs in the fifth off of a pair of base hits from Turner and Schwarber.

Philly pitchers have had their share of problems to start the season, but starting pitcher Matt Strahm greatly benefited from the early lead. Strahm only allowed 1 hit in 4 innings. Andrew Bellatti relieved Strahm in the fifth and is credited with the win. Alvarado and Brogdon totaled for 4 strikeouts, allowing only 1 hit. The Yankees didn’t get on the board until the ninth inning when LeMahieu homered off a Craig Kimbrel fastball. Overall, a solid outing from the Phillies’ bullpen.

Schwarber was the obvious catalyst for the Phillies’ first win on Tuesday. He broke out of his slump when the team needed him the most. Losing 5 games straight to start the season wasn’t an option for the Phils. Not only is it tough to make it to the World Series 2 years in a row, no team has ever made it to the Fall Classic after falling to 0-5 in a season. With their win-less streak firmly in the rear-view, the Phillies hope to build on their momentum by wrapping up their 3-game series with the Yankees with another win.

Update: The Phillies lost to the Yankees 4-2 today and are now 1-5 heading into their home opener against the Reds Friday afternoon.