Kyle Schwarber Hits 51st Homer as Phillies Beat Royals 8-6 for Sixth Straight Win on Sept. 13, 2025

Saturday, September 13th, 2025

Phillies Extend Winning Streak to Six with 8-6 Victory Over Royals

Kyle Schwarber launched his 51st home run while Brandon Marsh added another as the Philadelphia Phillies edged out the Kansas City Royals 8-6 in an exciting matchup at Citizens Bank Park. The win marks the Phillies' sixth consecutive victory, placing them on the brink of clinching their second straight NL East title.

Game Highlights

Harrison Bader stood out for Philadelphia, tallying three hits while stepping in as the leadoff hitter. The Phillies can secure a series sweep and the division title with another win in Sunday’s series finale.

Starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (5-8) benefited from strong offensive support, allowing four runs on seven hits across five innings. Jhoan Duran closed out the contest, delivering a flawless ninth inning for his 30th save in 33 chances.

For Kansas City, veteran Salvador Perez powered their offense with two home runs. However, the Royals suffered their sixth loss in the last seven games, further diminishing their playoff hopes.

Turning Point

Reliever Angel Zerpa (5-2) replaced starter Ryan Bergert and yielded three crucial runs in the fifth—swinging the momentum in the Phillies’ favor for good. Leading off the inning, Schwarber tied the game at 4 with a solo shot to right, pulling within seven home runs of Ryan Howard's single-season franchise record.

Four batters after Schwarber’s blast, Nick Castellanos delivered a pinch-hit sacrifice fly, driving in the go-ahead run and putting Philadelphia ahead 5-4.

Notable Performances and Key Stats

Bader has been a reliable presence at the top of the lineup, posting multiple hits in six straight games as he fills in for the injured Trea Turner. For Kansas City, Ryan Bergert struggled mightily, posting a 13.50 ERA over his last two outings after sporting a 2.43 ERA in his first six starts following his trade-deadline acquisition.

Pitching Matchup: Series Finale

Looking ahead to Sunday’s matchup, Kansas City will send left-hander Noah Cameron (7-7, 3.00 ERA) to the mound to face Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola (4-8, 6.24 ERA). Philadelphia aims to wrap up a perfect 7-0 homestand and clinch the division title.

In summary

The Philadelphia Phillies showcased power and resilience with pivotal home runs from Kyle Schwarber and Brandon Marsh to secure a crucial 8-6 win over the Kansas City Royals. With Harrison Bader shining at the plate and a dominant performance by closer Jhoan Duran, the Phillies now stand on the cusp of an NL East title. Kansas City’s fading postseason hopes were further dampened as veteran Salvador Perez’s two-homer night could not overcome Philadelphia’s momentum. The series concludes on Sunday, where the Phillies look to complete the sweep and make their claim as division champions.

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