LOS ANGELES (AP) — In an electric display of power hitting, Kyle Schwarber belted two home runs, including one that soared over the right-field pavilion at Dodger Stadium, lifting the Philadelphia Phillies to an 8-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the National League Division Series (NLDS). The win helped the Phillies avoid a sweep and cut the Dodgers’ series lead to 2-1, keeping their postseason hopes alive
Schwarber’s first home run of the postseason was a monstrous 455-foot shot off Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the fourth inning, a towering drive that cleared the famed right-field pavilion—a feat only accomplished by one other player in history, Pittsburgh’s Willie Stargell, who hit similar blasts in 1969 and 1973. The homer was the 23rd of Schwarber’s postseason career, moving him into third place on the all-time list, trailing only Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle. More notably, it marked his first home run in this NLDS after starting the series 0-for-8.
“It’s ridiculous how far that ball went,” said Phillies shortstop Trea Turner. “Sometimes it’s hard to create your own momentum, and you’ve got to build off things like that. No better way than the ball leaving the stadium.”
Schwarber, ever the team player, couldn’t even recall where the ball landed. “I didn’t even see where it landed,” he said. “I was looking in the dugout, trying to get the guys going.”
His towering blast put the Phillies ahead 3-1 in the game, and from there, the team never looked back. The home run provided the spark for the Phillies, who added five more runs in the eighth inning to seal the victory.
Phillies’ Offensive Surge
The Phillies’ lineup, often reliant on the long ball, came to life against the Dodgers’ pitching staff. In addition to Schwarber’s two home runs—one of which came in the eighth inning off Clayton Kershaw—J.T. Realmuto added a solo shot in the eighth to cap off the scoring. Schwarber’s second homer of the game was a two-run blast off Kershaw, further sealing the Dodgers’ fate in what was a disappointing postseason outing for the legendary left-hander.
The Phillies were able to string together 12 hits on the night, with a balanced attack across the lineup. The 8-2 win was a much-needed boost for a team that had been outmatched by the Dodgers in the first two games of the series.
“I think that’s exactly what we needed,” Schwarber said of the win. “It was a team effort all the way through, and when we play like that, we’re tough to beat.”
Bryce Harper and Alec Bohm also contributed to the offense. Harper’s aggressive base-running led to a run in the fourth inning, while Bohm’s bat was instrumental in setting the table for the Phillies’ big inning.
Ranger Suárez Shines on the Mound
While Schwarber’s heroics stole the spotlight at the plate, it was a solid pitching performance by Ranger Suárez that kept the Dodgers at bay. Suárez, who replaced Aaron Nola after the first two innings, pitched five strong innings, allowing just one run on five hits. The left-hander struck out four and walked one, keeping the Dodgers from mounting any significant rallies after Tommy Edman’s leadoff homer in the third.
“Ranger did a fantastic job,” said Schwarber. “He kept everyone right there for us to eventually crack through and have a beginning.”
Suárez’s performance was particularly impressive given the stakes. The Dodgers were in command of the series and looked to finish it off at home, but Suárez kept the Phillies in striking distance with a composed, efficient outing. The win marked his first career postseason victory.
“We didn’t let up,” said Suárez, who was thrilled with his outing. “It was all about staying focused, staying calm, and making pitches when we needed them.”
Kershaw’s Struggles in Relief
For the Dodgers, Game 3 was a tough one, as their ace Clayton Kershaw struggled in his first postseason relief appearance since 2019. Kershaw, who is in the final season of his illustrious career, was called upon to pitch in the eighth inning after the Dodgers’ bullpen had been used extensively earlier in the game.
Unfortunately for Kershaw, his command was off, and the Phillies took full advantage, racking up six hits off the three-time Cy Young Award winner. He allowed three runs, including two off Schwarber’s second home run. Kershaw, who has been a postseason staple for the Dodgers for over a decade, seemed to be battling both his mechanics and the pressure of the moment.
“I was battling command,” Kershaw said after the game. “It’s hard when you’re trying to throw strikes in the postseason to get people out.”
This game marked Kershaw’s 18th and final appearance for the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, as he is set to retire at the end of this season. It was a bittersweet moment for the future Hall of Famer, who had hoped to end his career with another World Series championship. Despite his struggles in the game, Kershaw received support from the crowd, with the iconic Sandy Koufax—another Dodgers legend—standing and applauding as Kershaw jogged to the mound.
Dodgers Fall Short
On the offensive side, the Dodgers couldn’t generate enough offense to mount a comeback after the Phillies’ four-run fourth inning. Tommy Edman’s early solo homer had given Los Angeles the lead, but they couldn’t capitalize on the momentum. Max Muncy, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani, the heart of the Dodgers’ offense, struggled mightily in Game 3. The trio went a combined 0-for-8 with three strikeouts.
Freeman, in particular, was frustrated with his performance. “I felt like I couldn’t get anything going today,” Freeman admitted. “We’ve got to do better as a team. It’s just part of the game, though. We’ll get back at it tomorrow.”
The Dodgers had opportunities, with runners on first and second in the sixth and seventh innings, but they couldn’t push any runs across. Max Muncy grounded into a double play to end the sixth, and the Dodgers’ offense couldn’t find a rhythm after that.
Looking Ahead to Game 4
The Phillies now have momentum on their side as they head into Game 4 on Thursday, with the Dodgers still holding a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series. The Phillies are hoping that the energy from this win will propel them to a series-tying victory, but they will face an uphill battle in the next game.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do, but this was a huge win for us,” said Schwarber. “We’ve got to take it one game at a time, but we know we’re capable of coming back.”
Game 4 will see the Dodgers trying to close out the series on their home turf, while the Phillies aim to force a decisive Game 5. The Dodgers have been dominant all season, but the Phillies are showing that they won’t go down without a fight.
As for Schwarber, he’ll continue to be a key factor in the Phillies’ postseason run, and if he keeps hitting like this, there’s no telling how far they can go.
Conclusion
Kyle Schwarber’s two home runs propelled the Phillies to a much-needed 8-2 win over the Dodgers, avoiding the sweep and keeping their postseason hopes alive. With Schwarber leading the charge and a strong pitching performance from Ranger Suárez, the Phillies now have the momentum heading into Game 4. The Dodgers, while still holding a 2-1 lead, will need to regroup if they want to finish off the series and avoid further setbacks. As the postseason continues to heat up, both teams will be looking for any edge they can get in their quest for a World Series championship.
