Schwarber hits MLB-leading 40th homer, Luzardo fans 9 as Phillies beat Mariners 6-0

SEATTLE (AP) — Kyle Schwarber hit his MLB-leading 40th home run, Jesús Luzardo struck out nine in seven innings and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Seattle Mariners 6-0 Wednesday.

Schwarber hit a three-run shot in the second inning and reached 40 homers for a fourth season with Philadelphia, matching the franchise mark set by Ryan Howard. The 33-year-old Schwarber, who snapped an 0-for-7 slump with a double in the first, sent Bryan Woo's fastball 425 feet into right-center to cap a four-run inning that put the Phillies ahead 6-0.

With the win, the Phillies (74-60) avoided a series sweep against the Mariners and remain 4 1/2 games back of Atlanta in the NL East. The Braves face the Dodgers later Wednesday.

The Mariners (64-70) are three games behind first-place Houston in the AL West. The Astros take on the Yankees later Wednesday.

Tim Mayza and Jhoan Duran closed out Philadelphia's 16th shutout of the season as the Mariners were held to two hits.

Luzardo (12-5) retired his first 14 batters before giving up a two-out single to Jhonny Pereda in the fourth. He allowed one hit, walked three and reached 200 strikeouts for the second straight season. In five starts over innings 33 2/3 innings in August, Luzardo has allowed just five earned runs.

Harper hit a two-run homer in the first inning to give the Phillies the early lead. His 27th homer of the season extended his on-base streak to a career-best 29 games.

Woo (9-9) lasted four innings. The 26-year-old right-hander allowed six runs on five hits while striking out five.

Justin Crawford hit an RBI single in the second to put the Phillies up 3-0 before Schwarber's homer.

Phillies: Start a three-game weekend series in Los Angeles on Friday and send RHP Andrew Painter (3-6, 6.04 ERA) against Angels LHP Reid Detmers (4-8, 3.62).

Mariners: Have not announced a starter for their series opener in Toronto on Friday. Blue Jays RHP Dylan Cease (8-5, 2.37) gets the start.

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

Seattle Mariners designated hitter Cal Raleigh reacts after losing a challenge and being called out on strikes during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper follows through on a double during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jesús Luzardo reacts after giving up a single to Seattle Mariners' Jhonny Pereda during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber jogs the bases after hitting a three-run home run against Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo during the second inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

SEATTLE (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber hit his MLB-leading 40th home run Wednesday.

Schwarber drove a 98-mph fastball off Seattle starter Bryan Woo approximately 425 feet into right-center field, a three-run shot that gave the Phillies a six-run lead over the Mariners in the second inning.

Schwarber finished with two hits, including a lead-off double in the first in the Phillies' 6-0 win.

Schwarber's homer tied a Phillies record for the most 40-plus homer seasons, matching former first baseman Ryan Howard. The 33-year-old Schwarber, who hit 56 homers last season, is also tied for the most 40-plus homer seasons among active players with Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees.

“Obviously it's a good thing because that means hopefully you're producing runs for your team,” Schwarber said. “It's not more about going out there and trying to achieve or attain a certain number. It's more trying to stack as many at-bats as you can to keep trying to help the team win.”

Schwarber's 227 homers with Philadelphia are the second-most in a player's first five seasons with a club. He trails only Babe Ruth, who had 235 homers with the New York Yankees. Schwarber, who spent six years with the Chicago Cubs, has 380 career homers.

Matt Olson (Braves) and Yordan Alvarez (Astros) trail Schwarber in homers with 36 each.

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

Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber jogs the bases after hitting a three-run home run against Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo during the second inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber hits a three-run home run against Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo during the second inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)