Phillies secure first win of the season as Schwarber hit his 200th career homer
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 04: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 04, 2023 in the Bronx borough of New York Ci
PHILADELPHIA - Kyle Schwarber hit his 200th career homer on the game’s second pitch and added an RBI single as the Philadelphia Phillies became the last team in the major leagues to get a win this season, beating the New York Yankees 4-1 on Tuesday night to avoid their worst start since 1934.
The NL champions had one homer and been outscored 37-12 during an 0-4 start and were on the verge on their poorest beginning to a season since dropping their first seven games in 1934.
"It was a good offensive night," Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson said. "I thought we swung the bats well. It’s good to get our first win, but it’s just one win."
Brandon Marsh also went deep after making two key misplays Monday. Marsh reached New York’s bullpen in center field after being unable to make a shoestring catch in center on DJ LeMahieu’s leadoff triple and overrunning third base for the third out of the fifth in Monday’s 8-1 loss.
"It’s a great feeling," Marsh said. "Now we go. It was a good all-around game."
After hitting a career-high 46 homers last year, Schwarber started 1 for 17 this season. He drove the second pitch from Domingo Germán (0-1) into the right field seats near the Judge’s Chambers.
"It feels good," Schwarber said. "I think the biggest thing is being able to start with a lead. I think the personal accomplishments, those things kind of will come after you’re done playing. Cool stat, definitely a cool thing but happy about the win."
Trea Turner and Schwarber had RBI singles in the fifth off Michael King, making his second appearance since breaking his elbow last July 22.
Matt Strahm allowed one hit in four innings, a third-inning single by rookie Anthony Volpe. Strahm struck out three and walked one in his first start since Aug. 17, 2021, for San Diego.
"He was great," Thomson said. "He handled those guys pretty well."
Andrew Bellatti (1-0) pitched the fifth for the win. José Alvarado struck out the side on 12 pitches in the sixth, including Aaron Judge to end the inning.
LeMahieu homered in the ninth off Craig Kimbrel. Kimbrel walked Judge and allowed a single to Giancarlo Stanton before retiring Josh Donaldson on a game-ending foulout.
Germán allowed four runs and four hits in 4 2/3 innings, struck out eight and walked none. He threw 30 curveballs, 21 changeups, 18 fastballs and six sinkers, giving up both homers on fastballs and getting six strikeouts on curves as batters went 1 for 9 against that pitch.
Volpe missed a chance for a double play in the fifth when Marsh’s grounder bounced out of his glove, getting only a forceout. Garrett Stubbs singled, King relieved and Philadelphia boosted the lead to 4-0.
"I haven't been getting it done," King said. "Mechanically it feels like my timing is a little off and I'd much rather give up my own runs."
HICKS
Aaron Hicks went 0 for 3 in his second straight start in left field after striking out in his only at-bat in the opening series against San Franciso.
He heard loud boos when he opened the fifth with a strikeout after the Phillies took a 4-0 lead.
"Obviously it’s not the greatest reaction, but you got to deal with it, fight through it," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.
Judge gave Hicks a comforting tap on a shoulder in the dugout after Hicks’ seventh-inning grounder.
FRUSTRATED
Stanton nearly smashed his bat over his leg after flying out in the fourth. He watched the ball, considered slamming the bat before tossing it aside.
DEBUT
McKinley Moore, a 24-year-old right-hander, pitched a 1-2-3 eighth in his major league debut after his contract was selected from Triple-A Lehigh Valley before the game. Moore allowed an unearned run in nine spring training appearances.
VIOLATIONS
New York RHPs Albert Abreu and Jimmy Cordero were called for pitch clock violations.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Phillies: INF Josh Harrison (mild right ankle sprain) sat out a second straight game. He is day to day. … RHP Yunior Marte was optioned to Lehigh Valley.
Yankees: RHP Luis Severino (right lat strain) played catch in the outfield.
UP NEXT
New York RHP Gerrit Cole (1-0, 0.00 ERA) opposes Philadelphia RHP Aaron Nola (0-0, 12.27) Wednesday.