Cubs Score: Schwarber’s Power Surge Ignites Phillies’ Offense
PHILADELPHIA – Kyle Schwarber demonstrated the power of staying calm and prepared, launching a crucial home run to spark the Philadelphia Phillies’ 13-7 win against the Chicago Cubs on Monday night at Citizens Bank Park. The victory came at a time when many outside the Phillies’ clubhouse were calling for drastic changes following a sluggish start to the season.
While some fans clamored for displays of frustration – broken equipment and heated confrontations – players like Schwarber emphasize the importance of maintaining a consistent routine and a proven approach. “If you’re ready for a fastball, you’ve got a chance at the breaking ball and offspeed,” Schwarber explained, highlighting his mindset at the plate.
Schwarber’s First-Inning Blast
Facing Cubs right-hander Javier Assad in the first inning, Schwarber capitalized on a fastball, sending it soaring 414 feet into center field for a solo home run. The ball left the bat at a blistering 103.5 mph, giving the Phillies an early 1-0 lead. Schwarber described his approach: “Just tried to ride it out for as long as I could…the knee goes down, too. I don’t think it’s been the first time that’s happened, but that’s kind of the thought process there.”
This hit proved to be a catalyst for a Phillies offense that had been struggling. Coming off a weekend where they lost consecutive series and fell below .500, the team desperately needed a spark. Bryce Harper had even publicly criticized the team’s recent performance, calling it “just bad baseball.”
Offensive Explosion
Schwarber’s initial homer ignited a chain reaction. The Phillies continued to pile on the runs, scoring in the second (2-0), third (4-0 with another two-run homer from Schwarber), fifth (five runs), sixth (three runs), and seventh (one run). Remarkably, the Phillies scored in six of the first seven innings against the Cubs – a significant turnaround from their recent offensive woes, having only scored in six of their previous 62 innings.
“It’s awesome,” Schwarber said. “It’s fun. We love scoring runs. We love going out there. We love getting the job done. That’s why we show up. That’s why we play.”
Staying Within Themselves
Schwarber emphasized the importance of players not feeling pressured to force a big inning or game. “The more you really try to go out there and do that, the more that you might just expand, the more you might try to go out there and do too much,” he explained. He believes in trusting the team’s collective talent and sticking to individual strengths. Alec Bohm and Adolis Garcia both broke out of recent slumps, while J.T. Realmuto recorded his first three-hit game since August 18th.
Schwarber recalled the wisdom of former teammate Rhys Hoskins: “It’s always stuck. It’s just, ‘Get to the plate.’ There’s always a chance when you get to the box.” He believes the players’ consistent work ethic and preparation ultimately lead to positive results. “Every time they step up to the plate, we think they’re going to do something good. It’s the nature of us.”
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