Kyle Schwarber hits three home runs, Bryce Harper achieves first career cycle
Kyle Schwarber launched three home runs and Bryce Harper hit for his first career cycle as the Philadelphia Phillies dismantled the New York Mets 15-3 on Saturday night. The June 20, 2026, victory at Citizens Bank Park saw the Phillies improve their record to 41-35, though they remain 7.
5 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the National League East standings. Starting pitcher Cristopher Sánchez earned his ninth win of the season, moving to a 9-3 record behind an overwhelming offensive display.
The night belonged to Philadelphia’s two biggest stars, who combined for eight hits and nine RBIs in front of the home crowd. Kyle Schwarber’s power surge included a rare feat of hitting two home runs in a single inning, while Bryce Harper’s cycle was the 11th in the history of the franchise.
Kyle Schwarber records three home runs in historic power display
The victory comes amid a busy season for sports fans, with some already looking ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup punditry and summer international tournaments.
New York struggled to find answers as their pitching staff surrendered 15 runs. The loss fell to Mets starter Freddy Peralta, who dropped to 5-6 on the year after being tagged for early home runs by both Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber.
The game also saw the Phillies take advantage of recent Mets roster moves, including the appearance of New York Mets selection Cionel Pérez and Tobias Myers, both of whom allowed home runs to Kyle Schwarber during the blowout.
Kyle Schwarber finished the night 4 for 5 with six RBIs and four runs scored, marking his fifth career three-homer game. He took over the major league lead in home runs, bringing his season total to 28. His first blast of the evening was a 456-foot solo shot in the third inning off Freddy Peralta that reached the second deck in right field.
The third inning proved historic for Kyle Schwarber as he became the 67th player in MLB history to hit two home runs in a single frame. After his solo shot, he returned to the plate later in the same inning to crush a 457-foot, two-run drive off Cionel Pérez.
He added his third home run in the seventh inning with a two-run shot inside the right-field foul pole off Tobias Myers.
Philadelphia Phillies players with two home runs in one inning
Kyle Schwarber is the first player to achieve this feat since 2023 and only the fourth player in Phillies history to do so. He joins a small list of franchise players who have managed two long balls in a single inning:
- Trea Turner (August 19, 2023)
- Von Hayes (June 11, 1985)
- Andy Seminick (June 2, 1949)
And Kyle Schwarber wasn’t alone in making history this week. He became the second player this season to hit two home runs in one inning, joining Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros, who accomplished the feat on June 12. The explosion of offense provided more than enough support for Cristopher Sánchez, who moved to 9-3 on the year.
Bryce Harper hits for first career cycle at Citizens Bank Park
Bryce Harper provided the perfect complement to the power show by hitting for the cycle, the first of his decorated career. He went 4 for 5 with three RBIs and two runs, starting early with a solo home run in the first inning. It was his 16th home run of the season, also coming off the Mets’ Freddy Peralta.
In the high-scoring third inning, Bryce Harper recorded both a double and a single. He completed the cycle in the fifth inning by lining a two-run triple into the left-center field gap off Tobias Myers, scoring Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber. This was the second cycle in MLB this week, following Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs on June 16, 2026.
The achievement was the second-fastest cycle in Major League Baseball history, surpassed only by Mike Lansing in 2000. Bryce Harper is the first Phillies player to record a cycle since Weston Wilson did it on August 15, 2024. The performance was a stark contrast to the frustrations seen elsewhere in the league, such as Gleyber Torres dealing with injury and missing significant time.
A successful pre-game adjustment for Bryce Harper
Bryce Harper’s historic night followed a deliberate change in his equipment. Before the game, he switched to a heavier, 35-ounce bat that he had never used in a competitive game. After taking early batting practice with the new lumber, he decided to stick with it for the divisional matchup, a decision that paid off with four hits.
The triple in the fifth inning was the hardest part of the cycle to secure, but Bryce Harper’s drive to the gap allowed him to reach third base safely. His four-hit night helped the Phillies stay competitive in the NL East race, where they continue to chase the front-running Atlanta Braves.
The 41-35 Phillies now look to maintain this offensive momentum as the summer stretch of the season continues.