Kyle Schwarber hits MLB record-setting 14th leadoff home run of the season, exits game early with bruised left elbow

Drew Smith
September 11, 2024
Phillies
0 Comments

Kyle Schwarber made history last night at Citizens Bank Park, launching his 14th leadoff home run of the season, propelling the Phillies to a 9-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

With a single swing in his first at-bat last night, Schwarber surpassed Alfonso Soriano’s long-standing record of 13 leadoff homers in an MLB season, which Soriano set with the Yankees back in 2003.

Facing Taj Bradley, Schwarber turned on a 1-0 fastball and sent it soaring into the night, clocking in at 113.9 mph off the bat and traveling a jaw-dropping 437 feet, according to Statcast. That’s how you make history—Schwarbomb style.

Kyle Schwarber crushes 14th Leadoff HR of the Season – New MLB Record

A SCHWARBOMB FOR THE RECORD BOOKS#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/Pm2OTDPOOe
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 10, 2024

WATCH: Benches clear in Phillies-Rays, Bryce Harper almost knocks out pitcher after Nick Castellanos HBP in 8th inning >>

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Kyle Schwarber. In the third inning, he banged up his left elbow while diving back into first base on a pickoff attempt. Manager Rob Thomson called it a “bruised left elbow, maybe a little hyperextension.” Fortunately, it doesn’t seem like anything serious, with Thomson planning to pencil him back into the lineup on Wednesday.

Kyle Schwarber himself wasn’t too concerned.

“I didn’t even feel pain or anything at first, but then I got to the dugout, extended [the arm] and thought, ‘That was weird.’ Took a swing, didn’t feel right. The trainer worked on it, and I tried to let one rip, but it wasn’t cooperating,” he said.

Despite the elbow swelling up a bit, Schwarber’s confident there’s no structural damage.

That’s good news because he’s been the most clutch player for the Phillies’ and obviously, does most of his damage from leadoff spot.

Kyle Schwarber is batting .251 with 35 homers, 95 RBIs, and an .868 OPS this season. Since joining the Phillies in 2022, he’s smashed 139 homers, including postseason bombs, with the team going an impressive 83-36 when he goes yard.

As for breaking the leadoff homer record? Schwarber’s staying cool about it:

“It’s something I’ll probably appreciate more after my career.”

With this win, the Phillies hold an 8-game lead over both the Mets and Braves in the NL East with 17 games to go. They also have the best record in baseball at 87-58, one game ahead of the Dodgers in the National League race for the top seed.

Nick Castellanos, Bryce Harper sound off on Tampa Bay Rays’ Edwin Uceta following bench clearing incident last night at The Bank >>