Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Max Kepler (17) hits an RBI double in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 20. Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Philadelphia Phillies' Offseason Acquisition Makes Team History with Monster Home Run

Originally posted on Fastball on SI | By Brady Farkas | Last updated May 25, 2025 9:03 AM ET

The Philadelphia Phillies rallied to beat the Athletics 9-6 in 11 innings on Saturday night in West Sacramento, Calif.

With the win, Philadelphia is 34-18 and owns the best record in the major leagues, while the A's have slumped to 22-31 and last place in the American League West.

Philadelphia trailed 6-5 in the top of the ninth inning until offseason acquisition Max Kepler hit a game-tying home run off a 101.4 mph fastball from closer Mason Miller. According to Sarah Langs of MLB.com, that's the fastest pitch that a Phillies player has homered off of under the pitch tracking system, which has been in place since 2008.

Max Kepler!

This came on a 101.4 mph pitch

That is the fastest pitch a Phillies player has homered off of under pitch tracking (2008) https://t.co/yAj6wFPlIJ
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) May 25, 2025

Kepler, 32, was brought in this offseason after a lengthy career with the Minnesota Twins. He's hitting .233 with six homers, 18 RBIs and a .317 on-base percentage. Lifetime, he's a .237 hitter with 167 home runs.

In addition to Kepler's heroics, Kyle Schwarber also went 2-for-5 with three RBIs, and Bryce Harper was 2-for-6. Alec Bohm hit his fourth home run of the season.

The two teams will play again on Sunday afternoon to close out the series with first pitch coming at 4:05 p.m. ET. Left-hander Jesus Luzardo will take the mound for P hiladelphia while right-hander Gunnar Hoglund pitches for the A's.

Luzardo has gone 5-0 this season with a 1.95 ERA, looking like an All-Star and a Cy Young candidate. Hoglund, a well-regarded prospect, has gone 1-2 with a 5.06 ERA since being called up.

First pitch is 4:05 p.m. ET.

Both teams will be off on Memorial Day Monday.

This article first appeared on Fastball on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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