Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber produced a performance for the ages, blasting four home runs in a single Major League Baseball game, but the star slugger walked away with mixed emotions after narrowly missing out on the chance to set an unprecedented new record.
On Wednesday night at Citizens Bank Park, Schwarber powered the Phillies to a dominant 19-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves. The veteran slugger became just the 21st player in MLB history to hit four homers in a single contest, joining an exclusive list of sluggers to achieve the rare feat. At 32 years old, Schwarber also etched his name into Phillies history as only the fourth player in the franchise to ever do so, while being the third player across the league this season to manage it.
The night began with fireworks early as Schwarber sent a solo shot soaring into the second deck of right field during the first inning, immediately electrifying the home crowd. By the third inning, he followed it up with a two-run homer, once again pulling the ball down the right-field line. His momentum continued into the fifth, where he crushed a three-run homer to left field, cementing what was already an incredible individual performance. Then, in the seventh inning, he added yet another three-run blast, this time off Atlanta reliever Wander Suero, giving him his fourth home run of the night and leaving fans in awe.
For Schwarber, the achievement was memorable but also tinged with regret.
“It was pretty cool to go out there and do that,” Schwarber said. “And you get the opportunity for a fifth one.”
The designated hitter admitted afterward that he could not help but think about the chance to make history with a fifth long ball, something no one has ever done in MLB.
“I shouldn’t have even asked the question, but I was in the (indoor batting) cage and I was like, ‘How many guys have hit five?’” Schwarber explained. “And nobody said anything, so I was like, ‘Oh, OK, well that answers the question.’”
According to Elias Sports Bureau, only three players before Schwarber had ever stepped into the batter’s box with a chance to hit a fifth home run in a single game: Bobby Lowe in 1894, Lou Gehrig in 1932, and Mike Cameron in 2002. None were able to achieve it, and Schwarber was unable to join them in rewriting baseball’s record books.
When Schwarber came up again in the eighth inning, the Braves had already turned to position player Vidal Bruján, a 27-year-old shortstop pressed into pitching duties during the blowout. That left Schwarber with a golden opportunity to swing his way into MLB immortality.
But the slugger admitted his confidence dipped in that moment.
“I stink against position players,” Schwarber confessed. His record against emergency pitchers has been a frustrating one, with just two hits in 14 previous attempts, including only a double and an infield single. He also tallied two walks, was hit twice, and added a sacrifice fly in those situations.
On this night, history slipped away as Schwarber popped up against Bruján, ending the dream of a fifth homer.
“I’ve got a mental block somewhere in my head that I’m not very good against position players,” he said afterward with a hint of frustration.
Teammates Celebrate Despite Missed Milestone
While Schwarber was left pondering what might have been, his teammates had nothing but admiration for the record-tying night. Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola, who picked up the win on the mound, had front-row seats to history.
“I mean, whether he hits the fifth or not, what an unbelievable night that guy had,” Nola said. “I’ve never seen a four-home run game in person, so that was amazing. That guy is awesome. I don’t know what else to say. The guy is having a year for the ages.”
Schwarber’s four-homer explosion took his season tally to 49, the highest mark of his career. The slugger now sits within striking distance of Ryan Howard’s Phillies record of 58 homers in a season, set back in 2006. On current pace, Schwarber is projected to finish with 59, a mark that would rewrite franchise history.
But true to his character, Schwarber downplayed the individual chase.
“If it happens, great. If it doesn’t, great,” he said. “I’m more focused on us as a group and on trying to get to where we want to be.”
The Phillies, sitting at 77-57 after their demolition of Atlanta, hold a five-game lead over the New York Mets in the National League East. They are also level with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the second-best record in the National League, positioning themselves as serious contenders heading into the final stretch of the season.
A Historic Night for the Phillies
Schwarber’s heroics not only lit up the scoreboard but also tied a franchise record that dates back nearly 130 years. Ed Delahanty first achieved the four-homer game for the Phillies in 1896, followed decades later by Chuck Klein in 1936 and Mike Schmidt in 1976. Now, Schwarber joins that illustrious company.
“There’s 21 people to do it now and four are Phillies, so that’s pretty cool,” Schwarber said, recognizing the significance of his achievement.
The power surge also underscored a season where power hitting has defined Schwarber’s role in the Phillies’ lineup. His four home runs mirrored other standout performances this season, with Eugenio Suárez hitting four in April and Nick Kurtz accomplishing the feat in July.
Legacy and What Comes Next
While the missed opportunity for a fifth homer may sting, Schwarber’s legacy is firmly enhanced by his achievement. Becoming part of such a select group in baseball history is no small feat, and his 2025 campaign continues to shape up as one of the most remarkable in Phillies lore.
For the fans at Citizens Bank Park, the night will long be remembered as one of the greatest offensive showings in franchise history. For Schwarber himself, it’s another reminder of his value to a Phillies team eyeing both division glory and a deep postseason run.
And while he may still think about that elusive fifth homer, Schwarber’s name is now cemented in MLB’s record books — and perhaps, before season’s end, in Phillies history as the club’s all-time single-season home run king.
