Philadelphia Phillies' slugger Kyle Schwarber made history on Tuesday night by setting the MLB single-season record with his 14th leadoff home run against the Tampa Bay Rays. Schwarber achieved this milestone before being removed from the game in the fourth inning due to a hyperextended left elbow.
In the bottom of the first inning, Schwarber smashed a 437-foot home run to center field off a fastball from Rays starter Taj Bradley. This home run propelled him past Alfonso Soriano's previous record of 13 leadoff homers in 2003 with the New York Yankees, giving the Phillies an early 1-0 lead. Philadelphia went on to secure a 9-4 victory over the Rays.
This season, Schwarber's 35th homer marked the 45th leadoff home run of his career, with 32 of them coming since he joined the Phillies in 2022. Reflecting on his achievement, Schwarber expressed his appreciation for the milestone and acknowledged the significance it holds in his career.
However, Schwarber's record-setting night was marred by an injury in the third inning when he hyperextended his left elbow while diving back into first base on a pickoff attempt. As a result, he was replaced at designated hitter by Buddy Kennedy in the fourth inning.
Phillies' manager Rob Thomson stated that Schwarber is currently considered day-to-day, with the hope that he will be able to play in the upcoming series finale against the Rays. Despite the injury scare, Schwarber confirmed that there is no structural damage to his elbow, and he is determined to return to the lineup if he can manage the discomfort while swinging the bat.
Schwarber's recent performance has been impressive, with seven home runs in his last eight games after a brief slump. The 31-year-old designated hitter leads the Phillies in both home runs and RBIs this season, showcasing his offensive prowess.
Throughout his 11-year career, Schwarber has demonstrated consistency at the plate, hitting .251 with an .869 OPS this season. Despite initial skepticism about his role as a leadoff hitter, Schwarber has proven his critics wrong with his stellar production and adjustments at the plate.
Having started all 133 games this season as the leadoff hitter for the Phillies, Schwarber's impact on the team's lineup has been undeniable. As the Phillies aim for a three-game sweep against the Rays, Schwarber's potential return to the lineup will be eagerly anticipated by fans and teammates alike.
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