The Philadelphia Phillies didn’t just stay alive Wednesday night: they sent a message. With their backs against the wall, the Phillies’ lineup finally broke through, crushing the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-2 in Game 3 of theNational League Division Series.
After two quiet games, Kyle Schwarber rediscovered his swing in dramatic fashion. The slugger, mired in an 0-for-22 slump, launched two home runs that fueled an offensive surge and ended the Dodgers’ nine-game winning streak.
“It felt good to finally square one up,” Schwarber said after the game. “You just want to do something to get the team going.”
A 455-Foot Wake-Up Call
Schwarber’s first homer was a monster – a 455-foot blast that disappeared over the right-field pavilion. It came on a 2-0 fastball from Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto and turned a tense ballpark silent. The hit reignited the Phillies’ dugout, and the momentum shifted fast.
Bryce Harper followed with a sharp single, and Alec Bohm’s hit to center set off chaos when Andy Pages’ throw skipped into the dugout. Harper scored, Bohm moved to third, and suddenly the Phillies were rolling.
Kershaw’s Return Turns Sour
Los Angeles never recovered. When veteran Clayton Kershaw entered in the eighth, the Phillies pounced again. J.T. Realmuto ripped a solo homer, Schwarber added another, and Philadelphia piled on five runs to put the game out of reach.
Aaron Nola and Ranger Suárez split the first seven innings, limiting the Dodgers to a single run – a solo shot by Tommy Edman in the third. Despite a few threats, L.A. couldn’t cash in, grounding into double plays that killed rallies.
Now the series shifts to Game 4, where the Dodgers still lead 2-1 – but the Phillies have the spark back. If Schwarber and Harper keep hitting, the NLDS might be far from over.
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