Phillies bash three home runs, roll past Rangers

Kyle Schwarber, Brandon Marsh and Trea Turner clubbed home runs to back six strong innings from Cristopher Sanchez as the Philadelphia Phillies romped past the Texas Rangers 9-1 on Friday in Arlington, Texas.

Sanchez (11-3) won for the sixth time in his past seven decisions as he allowed one run on six hits and one walk while striking out six. Matt Strahm, Orion Kerkering and Max Lazar produced a scoreless inning each to cap the victory.

Marsh had four of Philadelphia's 11 hits, adding two doubles to his round-tripper, and Turner racked up five RBIs in the opener of a three-game interleague series. The Phillies have won four of their past five outings.

Merrill Kelly (9-7) remained winless in two appearances for the Rangers since being acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks at the trade deadline. He went 4 1/3 innings and permitted four runs on five hits and a season-high five walks. Kelly fanned four batters.

The Rangers, who had eight hits, lost their second straight game.

Schwarber ripped a solo home run off the right field foul pole to spot the Phillies a 1-0 lead in the first inning. It was his National League-leading 41st long ball of the year.

Texas answered in the bottom of the frame when Josh Jung singled home Corey Seager, who reached via a single and advanced to second on a single by Marcus Semien.

Philadelphia took charge again in the fourth. Marsh led off with a home run before one-out walks to Otto Kemp and Bryson Stott set up Turner's double that plated both runners.

Texas loaded the bases with two outs against Sanchez in the fifth, but Wyatt Langford flied out to left to end the threat.

The Phillies added five insurance runs in the ninth off Texas reliever Luis Curvelo. Stott hit a two-run, two-out double to score Nick Castellanos and Max Kepler, and Turner followed with a three-run homer that plated Edmundo Sosa and Stott.