Schwarber’s 408-foot, go-ahead blast off Kodai Senga came after he fell behind on four straight forkballs and correctly anticipated a two-strike fastball.
96.7 mph was 11.7 mph harder than anything he had seen in that at-bat, but Schwarber said a shortened, quieter swing let him stay on time and recognize it.
30 homers in the Phillies’ first 84 games made Schwarber the fastest player in club history to reach that mark, with his swing standing as the game-winner.
At 33, Schwarber is on pace for 56 homers again after remaking his approach against lefties with hitting coach Kevin Long; over the past five seasons, his 71 homers off left-handers lead MLB.
Schwarber, who re-signed for $150 million over five years, has become a Philadelphia centerpiece as the city hosts the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game.