Schwarber, Kepler go deep late to vault Phillies past Diamondbacks 3-2

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kyle Schwarber and Max Kepler hit solo homers in the seventh inning to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 3-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night.

Schwarber moved into a tie for the major league home run lead when he hit his 10th of the season off Arizona reliever Jose Castillo (0-1) to tie the game 2-2.

One out later, Kepler hit a home run into the right-field seats to put the Phillies ahead. It was his fourth homer this season and his first off a left-handed pitcher this year.

Schwarber also had an RBI double in the first inning to give Philadelphia an early lead.

Tanner Banks (1-0) earned the win in relief by pitching a 1-2-3 seventh. Jose Alvarado pitched the ninth for his sixth save for Philadelphia.

Jesús Luzardo pitched 5 1/3 innings and allowed two runs on nine hits for the Phillies, who have won five of their last six.

Arizona starter Merrill Kelly was having an efficient and effective start, throwing just 60 pitches through five innings and allowing one run on four hits, but he appeared to injure himself while warming up in the sixth inning and had to be removed from the game.

The Diamondbacks did not announce the nature of the injury before the conclusion of the game.

Luis Perdomo and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had RBI singles for Arizona, which has lost six of its last nine.

Johan Rojas, who came into the game as a defensive replacement, made a lunging catch in center field and crashed hard into the fence, but hung on to help preserve the one-run lead in the ninth inning.

Schwarber extended his major league leading on-base streak to 38 games with his first inning double.

Arizona sends RHP Brandon Pfaadt (5-1, 2.78 ERA) to the mound to face Phillies RHP Aaron Nola (0-5, 5.40) on Saturday night.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Arizona Diamondbacks' Gabriel Moreno, right, scores past Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto on a single by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Friday, May 2, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Arizona Diamondbacks' José Castillo pitches during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, May 2, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Johan Rojas catches a fly out by Arizona Diamondbacks' Lourdes Gurriel Jr. during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Friday, May 2, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Max Kepler reacts after hitting a home run against Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher José Castillo during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Friday, May 2, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber watches after hitting a home run against Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher José Castillo during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Friday, May 2, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber reacts after hitting a home run against Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher José Castillo during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Friday, May 2, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

CINCINNATI (AP) — After opening the season as the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns facing the Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Flacco will close the season as the backup for the Bengals as they face the Browns on Sunday.

Flacco was dealt to the Bengals in October and made six starts for the Bengals while Joe Burrow was out with a toe injury.

“I don’t really think about putting a label on it,” Flacco said. “It’s crazy. Seasons always go by quick once they’ve started. But the way that this one went, it seems like it flew by.”

During the summer, in Cleveland Browns training camp, Flacco won a competition for the starting quarterback job and made four starts for Cleveland. In Week 1 against the Bengals, Flacco threw for 290 yards.

He said that over the past 17 weeks, he has seen improvement from the Bengals defense. Now, he refers to the Bengals defense as his team’s defense.

“We’re stopping the run,” Flacco said. “We’re getting more pressure on the quarterback. When you combine those two things, it’s going to help you out.”

While Flacco went 1-5 as a starter in Cincinnati, the 40-year-old played well. He threw for at least 200 yards in four of his six starts, and the Bengals offense averaged more than 27 points per game.

Flacco said that he developed a lot of respect for Bengals coach Zac Taylor.

“He has a lot of strengths,” Flacco said. “He’s really good at what he does. His demeanor, his overall personality and the way he leads men is really good. The way he puts game plans together. Also, he’s willing to allow it to be collaborative. That’s a strength. His game day play-calling is also something he does really well.”

Burrow took over as the starter when he returned on Thanksgiving, and Flacco has been the backup over the past month.

Flacco will be a free agent again at the end of the season. As he evaluates his options, he’s hoping to find another chance to play and to start.

“That’s always a priority,” Flacco said. “I’m somebody who wants to play football. You’ve got to assess and see whatever is thrown your way. You have to go from there and see what you can do about it.”

He said that he’d be open to returning to the Bengals, but he’ll weigh several factors.

“I haven’t really thought about it,” Flacco said. “I don’t hope to do anything. I have an idea of maybe of what some goals would be. I’ll go from there and see what happens.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco throws during pregame warmups before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) calls a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)