Schwarber hits record-setting 14th leadoff HR; OK after early exit

PHILADELPHIA -- Kyle Schwarber is an imposing force atop the Phillies’ lineup.

They don’t want to lose him to injury, even for a day.

Perhaps they got lucky on Tuesday night. Schwarber hit his 14th leadoff home run of the season in a 9-4 victory over the Rays at Citizens Bank Park, setting the MLB single-season record. He had been tied with Alfonso Soriano (13 for the 2003 Yankees).

Schwarber crushed a 1-0 fastball from Rays right-hander Taj Bradley to right-center field. The ball left his bat at 113.9 mph and traveled a projected 437 feet, according to Statcast. But Schwarber left the game before he hit in the fourth because of what Phillies manager Rob Thomson called a bruised left elbow -- “a little bit of a hyperextension.” Thomson said, however, that he plans to put Schwarber in Wednesday’s lineup with the hopes that he can play.

Schwarber hurt himself when he dove headfirst back into first base on a pickoff attempt in the third inning. He used his left arm to reach for the bag.

“I guess I just hit it on the right spot diving back,” Schwarber said. “I didn’t even feel pain or anything. It was just more when I got back to the dugout. I extended [the arm] and I was like, 'Huh, that was weird.' I went down, took a swing and it didn’t feel good. I told the trainer. He worked on it. It got better and I tried to let one rip, and it wasn’t really cooperating.”

Schwarber said the elbow “swelled up a little bit,” but there is nothing structurally wrong.

“Tomorrow, if I can stand it, then [I'll] play,” he said.

Schwarber is batting .251 with 35 homers, 95 RBIs and an .868 OPS this season. He would be missed atop the Phillies’ lineup, even for a game or two. He has hit 139 homers since he joined the Phillies in 2022, including the postseason. The Phillies are 83-36 (.697) when he homers.

Schwarber said the leadoff home run record is nice, but it is something that he will appreciate more after his playing career.