The Philadelphia Phillies made a late adjustment to their lineup, pulling Kyle Schwarber just before first pitch against the Washington Nationals due to lower back tightness. Even without their premier power hitter, the Phillies exploded for eight runs in the ninth inning, overcoming the Nationals 14-9.
Following the contest, interim manager Don Mattingly spoke with reporters, including Matt Gelb of The Athletic, regarding Schwarber’s condition. The slugger experienced back stiffness shortly before the game was set to begin, though Mattingly expressed no significant alarm. The decision to remove him from the starting nine was more about caution than genuine injury concern.
The organization plans to evaluate Schwarber’s response to treatment overnight before determining next steps. Given that he represents the most formidable offensive weapon in the order, Philadelphia cannot afford a prolonged period without him.
Schwarber is currently putting together what could be the finest campaign of his career, posting a .252/.365/.594 slash line while leading the majors with 29 home runs. His offensive output checks in at 60 percent above league-average, as FanGraphs assigns him a 160 wRC+.
Edmundo Sosa Steps Up in Schwarber’s Absence
Schwarber had been penciled in as the designated hitter, but his late scratch forced Edmundo Sosa into action. The utility man responded with a strong performance, collecting two extra-base hits and driving in five runs.
With Philadelphia trailing 5-0, Sosa cut into the deficit with a three-run blast off Zack Littell in the fifth, then beat out a potential double-play ball in the seventh to keep a rally alive. He later added a two-run double in the ninth that effectively put the game out of reach.
Sosa also took the field defensively over the final two frames. Mattingly inserted pinch-runner Garrett Stubbs for third baseman Alec Bohm, who had represented the tying run at the time. Stubbs subsequently came around to score on J.T. Realmuto’s bases-clearing double, which gave Philadelphia a 6-5 lead.
With Bohm removed, the Phillies forfeited the designated hitter role, and Sosa wound up manning third base for the remainder of the contest.
This season has been a struggle for Sosa offensively, as he came into the game hitting only .231 with a .649 OPS. His struggles have contributed to the team’s difficulties against southpaws throughout the year.
Still, this performance might provide the veteran infielder with a spark moving forward. The Phillies would certainly benefit from such a turnaround, given their 12-18 record when facing left-handed starters.
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