Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper power Phillies to 9-5 comeback victory over Angels

Lochlahn March, The Philadelphia Inquirer on Jul 19, 2025

Published in Baseball

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PHILADELPHIA — The Citizens Bank Park crowd was on its feet before Kyle Schwarber even stepped in the batter’s box.

The Phillies had already scored a run in the sixth inning on a single, hit batsman, a walk and a sacrifice fly. But they were still trailing by one when José Fermin took over and walked two more batters to load the bases for Schwarber.

The Angels congregated on the mound with their pitching coach to discuss how best attack the hitter that just days ago had won the All-Star Game for the National League with three homers on three swings.

Schwarber needed just one swing this time. The first two pitches Fermin threw to Schwarber were sliders, one that missed badly inside and another that found the zone. Then, Fermin tried to blow a fastball by him, but that was what Schwarber was waiting for.

Los Angeles right fielder LaMonte Wade Jr. could only watch the ball sail by him into the outfield seats. Schwarber’s 32nd home run and first grand slam of the year put the Phillies in front for what was ultimately a 9-5 win over the Angels.

Bryce Harper continued his hot streak, doubling in the third inning and sending a two-run homer to center field in the eighth for some insurance.

Their joint firepower helped overcome a three-run fourth inning for the Angels. Phillies starter Taijuan Walker was efficient through the first three innings, but then gave up back-to-back solo home runs to Taylor Ward and Jo Addell, followed by four singles.

A sliding grab from Nick Castellanos in right field ended the inning and left the bases loaded.

The Angels, who entered Saturday with the fourth-most home runs in baseball, bashed another solo shot (Yoan Moncada) off Seth Johnson in the sixth inning.

Schwarber’s grand slam more than made up for his baserunning blunder in the first inning. With Schwarber on second and Trea Turner on third, Harper hit a ground ball to Angels second baseman Luis Rengifo. Both Turner and Schwarber were caught off their respective bases, and each ended up tagged out in run downs for an unusual double play.