Suárez tosses 7 shutout innings, Schwarber hits 22nd homer to lead Phillies past Toronto 8-0

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kyle Schwarber hit a three-run homer, Ranger Suárez struck out six in seven shutout innings and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-0 on Friday night.

Suárez (5-1) continued to shine since his return from an early season back injury. He allowed seven runs in his first start of the season and has allowed only seven total in his next seven starts.

The Phillies have won three of their last four games, and remain in the thick of the NL East hunt, even with key pieces Bryce Harper and Aaron Nola nursing injuries.

Harper fielded groundballs at first base before the game, but has yet to swing the bat or throw as he recovers from right wrist inflammation. A two-time NL MVP, Harper seems unlikely to return from the 10-day injured list when his eligibility is up after the three-game set with the Blue Jays. Nola has an injury in his right ribcage and can’t throw for at least two weeks. Nola, who had already been out since early May with a sprained right ankle, said he experienced discomfort when he takes deep breaths, and “obviously, throwing.”

Suárez received a standing ovation from Phillies fans when he walked off the mound in the seventh after throwing his 94th pitch.

He got all the help he needed when the Phillies scored four runs off Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman (5-5) in the second inning. Brandon Marsh socked an RBI double off the wall for a 1-0 lead and Schwarber connected on his 22nd homer of the season, a 410-foot shot to dead center that landed just beyond the outstretched glove of Myles Straw.

Otto Kemp, a rookie who played at first base to move Alec Bohm back to his natural third base spot, doubled for his first career extra-base hit in the second and tacked on an RBI single in the sixth for a 5-0 lead.

Trea Turner held an Emmy Award won for a documentary on his 2023 turnaround and then turned in a Gold Glove play in the third inning on a sliding grab to rob Toronto of a hit.

Suárez walked just one batter.

The Blue Jays send RHP Bowden Francis (2-8, 6.18 ERA) against Phillies LHP Cristopher Sánchez (5-2, 3.10 ERA) on Saturday.

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

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman throws during the third inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, June 13, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber (12) hits a three-run home run off Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman during the second inning of a baseball game, Friday, June 13, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Philadelphia Phillies' Max Kepler makes a diving catch on a ball hit by Toronto Blue Jays' Myles Straw during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, June 13, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ranger Suárez throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Friday, June 13, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber celebrates after hitting a three-run home run off Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman during the second inning of a baseball game, Friday, June 13, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Matthew Stafford threw a 19-yard go-ahead touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson with 38 seconds to lift the Los Angeles Rams to a dramatic 34-31 wild-card round win over the Carolina Panthers in the opening game of the NFL playoffs on Saturday.

Stafford finished 24 of 42 for 304 yards with three touchdown passes, while Puka Nacua had 10 receptions for 111 yards and two total touchdowns as the Rams (13-5), who were 10 1/2-point favorites, advanced to the divisional playoffs.

Bryce Young threw for 264 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score for Carolina (8-10), which finished the season losing four of its final five games. Jalen Coker had career highs with nine receptions for 134 yards with a touchdown and Chuba Hubbard ran for 46 yards and two touchdowns.

The Panthers fell behind 14-0 early, but stormed back to take a 24-20 lead on Hubbard's second touchdown of the run game early in the fourth quarter.

Stafford, who was selected as an All-Pro earlier in the day, led the Rams back down on the field and found Kyren Williams for a 13-yard touchdown strike over the middle for a 27-24 lead.

Los Angeles appeared to be in charge after getting a stop on defense giving Stafford the ball back.

But a holding penalty put the Rams behind the sticks and forced a punt, which Isaiah Simmons blocked to set the Panthers up the Rams 30.

Four plays later, Young found Coker in the left corner of the end zone for a 7-yard scoring strike to give Carolina a 31-27 lead 2:39 left, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

But Stafford quickly moved the Rams 71 yards in seven plays with Panthers two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn on the sideline with a concussion, finishing it off with a perfectly placed pass to Parkinson near the right side of the goal line. Parkinson, who had two TDs last week, forced his way into the end zone for the score.

It was nearly the second time this season the Rams lost to the Panthers as a 10 1/2-point underdog. Carolina won 31-28 on Nov. 30.

Carolina's last attempt to move into field-goal range ended when Jimmy Horn dropped a fourth down pass from Young.

Carolina was hoping the return of former quarterback Cam Newton to Bank of America Stadium to hit the “Keep Pounding” drum before the game would give the Panthers a little extra mojo early, but things didn't start well.

After the Rams defense came up with a stop on fourth down at midfield on Carolina's opening drive, Stafford quickly moved the offense downfield and found Nacua for a 14-yard touchdown pass over the middle for a 7-0 lead.

Nacua made it 14-0 on a 5-yard run following Young's interception.

Carolina cut the lead 17-14 at halftime after a 1-yard touchdown run by Hubbard and a 16-yard scramble by Young, the second-longest TD run of his career.

The Rams had a chance to build on the lead, but Nacau dropped a potential third TD on a pass down the right sideline from Stafford just before halftime.

Stafford surpassed Kurt Warner for the most postseason passing yards and completions in Rams history.

Rams: advance to the divisional round.

Panthers: season over.

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

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle (5) is tackled by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) runs after a catch during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Carolina Panthers, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) is tackled by Carolina Panthers linebacker Christian Rozeboom (56) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson (84) dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)