Kyle Schwarber and Max Kepler go yard, Phillies edge D-Backs 3–2 at the Bank

Sometimes it’s the stars. Sometimes it’s the sneaky winter pickups. And sometimes it’s both. Kyle Schwarber and Max Kepler went back-to-back(ish) in the seventh inning Friday night, launching solo bombs that flipped the game and lifted the Phillies to a gritty 3–2 win over the Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park.

Philly’s won five of six, and while it wasn’t pretty, this one had the fireworks, the defense, and the drama.

Kyle Schwarber Ties It. Kepler Wins It.

Trailing 2–1 in the bottom of the seventh, Kyle Schwarber stepped up and crushed his 10th homer of the season to dead center off lefty Jose Castillo. That tied him for the MLB home run lead, and it tied the game too.

KYLE SCHWARBER. 💣#RingTheBell | #Phillies pic.twitter.com/3Su5Dg4H43

— The Liberty Line (@LibertyLinePHL) May 3, 2025

One out later, Max Kepler — who’s quietly heating up — turned on a breaking ball and deposited it into the right-field seats. His fourth dinger of the year, and his first off a lefty, gave the Phillies a 3–2 lead they wouldn’t give back.

MAX KEPLER. RING IT. #RingTheBell | #Phillies pic.twitter.com/ZkeSmeXLp2

— The Liberty Line (@LibertyLinePHL) May 3, 2025

That’s the kind of depth the front office had in mind when it added Kepler this offseason. And it showed up in a big way under the Friday night lights.

Johan Rojas: Human Crash Test Dummy

The save went to José Alvarado, but give a damn assist to Johan Rojas.

Inserted as a late-game defensive replacement, Rojas made a highlight-reel, full-speed sprint into the center-field wall in the ninth — robbing the D-Backs of extra bases and likely saving the game. He held on through the impact, then bounced up like a guy built for October.

71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; the rest is covered by Johan Rojas#RingTheBell | #Phillies pic.twitter.com/nX20qlMlce

— The Liberty Line (@LibertyLinePHL) May 3, 2025

“That catch belongs on every highlight show for the next week.”

Jesus Luzardo Grinds, Bullpen Locks It Down

Jesús Luzardo didn’t have his best stuff, but he battled. The lefty gave up nine hits across 5.1 innings but held the D-Backs to two runs — just enough to keep the Phillies in striking distance.

Jesús Luzardo tonight: 5.1 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 95 pitches (63 strikes)

The Lizard King 🦎

🔔: https://t.co/domtIORNx3#RingTheBell | #Phillies https://t.co/cUDzkeh7V2

— The Liberty Line (@LibertyLinePHL) May 3, 2025

Tanner Banks picked up the win with a clean seventh, Alvarado earned his sixth save, and the bullpen slammed the door without drama.

Phillies Game Notes

• Kyle Schwarber’s RBI double in the 1st extended his MLB best on-base streak to 38 games
• Merrill Kelly was cruising for Arizona until he appeared to tweak something warming up for the sixth. He was pulled immediately, and there’s been no update yet.
• Arizona’s offense stayed quiet again — they’ve now dropped six of their last nine.

Up Next for the Phillies:

Saturday night showdown on deck — the struggling Aaron Nola (0–5, 5.40 ERA) gets the ball for the Phillies, looking to shake off a brutal start to the year. Arizona counters with Brandon Pfaadt (5–1, 2.78 ERA), who’s been a bright spot in their rotation.

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