Kyle Schwarber Hits Four Home Runs Against Braves
PHILADELPHIA — Kyle Schwarber made a powerful impact on Thursday night, quickly asserting his dominance on the field. He achieved a remarkable milestone, becoming only the 21st player in Major League history to hit four home runs in a single game, contributing significantly to the Phillies’ commanding 19-4 win.
In the eighth inning, Schwarber had the opportunity to become the first player ever to hit five home runs in a single game. According to research by the Elias Sports Bureau, he was one of just four players to enter a plate appearance with that chance, joining legends like Bobby Lowe (1894), Lou Gehrig (1932), and Mike Cameron (2002).
“I was just curious and asked how many guys have hit five,” Schwarber remarked about his mindset as he stepped up to bat. “When no one answered, I thought, ‘Okay, that explains it.’” The only hurdle blocking his path to a fifth home run was Braves’ infielder Vidal Bruján, who had taken to pitching in the seventh inning.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson expressed his confidence, stating, “I thought he was going to do it, without a doubt.” Teammate Aaron Nola echoed these sentiments, hoping Schwarber would achieve the feat.
Surprisingly, Schwarber himself was less optimistic about hitting a fifth home run. He confessed, “I struggle against position players,” citing his 14 previous at-bats against such pitchers without a home run, plus a lackluster 2-for-9 performance against Bruján before stepping up to the plate.
As the decisive moment arrived, Schwarber swung at a pitch from Bruján but could only pop it up for a routine out. “I have a mental block against position players; I just don’t do well against them,” he explained later. Nevertheless, his four home runs and nine RBIs set a new franchise record, marking a night to remember for the Phillies.
While only the 21st player to hit four homers in a game, Schwarber’s achievement this season marks the third occurrence of this milestone in MLB history. His four home runs moved him to a season total of 49, a personal best and placing him second on the Phillies’ all-time list for single-season home runs.
