Kyle Schwarber, Drew Ellis homer twice as Phillies beat Nationals 11-3

WASHINGTON - Kyle Schwarber hit a pair of three run homers, Drew Ellis hit his first two home runs of the season, and the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Washington Nationals 11-3 on Sunday to take the rubber game of the series.

J.T. Realmuto went deep for the second day in a row for the Phillies, who finished a 4-6 road trip. Nick Castellanos had three hits.

Schwarber broke open a 2-1 game with his first homer, in the sixth, and added his second in the ninth. It was his 23rd career multi-homer game and first of the season.

Ellis, who began the day with one career Major League home run, hit a solo shot in the fifth and a two-run homer in the seventh just beyond the reach of a leaping Alex Call. He also walked twice and singled in five plate appearances, and scored four runs.

The 27-year-old Ellis was released by the Mariners in March and signed to a minor-league contract by the Phillies on April 16. He was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday when Alec Bohm was placed on the injured list.

Philadelphia starter Ranger Suárez (1-2) allowed at least one baserunner in all but one inning while giving up one run on eight hits with a walk and three strikeouts. He improved to 6-0 record with 3.13 ERA in 12 career outings, five starts, against Washington.

Ildemaro Vargas had a homer and a double for the Nationals.

Trevor Williams (2-4) was charged with four runs on six hits. He struck out six and walked four.

Realmuto's homer gave the Phillies a 1-0 lead in the second, but Washington tied it when Joey Meneses tripled leading off the fourth and scored on sacrifice fly by Stone Garrett.

With two on and two out in the sixth following an infield hit by Ellis off Williams, Andres Machado came on to face Schwarber, who homered to right-center to make it 5-1.

STRASBURG NOT CLOSE

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg, 34, who last pitched for the Nationals on June 9, 2022, remains inactive as he attempts to return following surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome.

"Everything’s still the same. He’s shut down right now from baseball activity. I know he’s working hard. I can’t say exactly what the outcome’s gonna be," manager Dave Martinez said before the game. "But I know that it’s been frustrating for him and it’s been an ongoing deal. I wish Stephen the best no matter what happens moving forward. I just want him to get healthy."

TRAINER’S ROOM

Phillies: LHP José Alvarado (left elbow inflammation) began his rehab assignment Saturday night, pitching a scoreless inning for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He gave up one hit and struck out one. He’ll pitch for Double-A Reading on Tuesday or Wednesday and could rejoin the Phillies next weekend.

UP NEXT

Phillies: RHP Aaron Nola (4-4, 4.70) pitches the opener of a three-game home series against Detroit on Monday. He is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in three career starts versus the Tigers.

Nationals: RHP Jake Irvin (1-3, 5.67) starts Tuesday in the first of three games against visiting Arizona. The rookie is 0-2 with a 7.47 ERA in four starts at Nationals Park.