Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies is congratulated by Bryce Harper after he hit a home run against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning of the Opening Day game at Citizens Bank Park. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) PHILADELPHIA - Kyle Schwarber homered in his first at-bat with the Phillies, reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper knocked in a run and Aaron Nola struck out seven to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 9-5 win over the Oakland Athletics on Friday.Schwarber’s first opening day in Philadelphia was one to remember for the 29-year-old slugger.
Fresh off the $79 million, four-year contract he signed last month, Schwarber crushed a 427-foot homer to right off A’s starter Frankie Montas (0-1) on just his seventh pitch of the game.
Schwarber took an energetic run around the bases for his 14th career leadoff homer. The sellout crowd of 44,232 went wild and Schwarber thrust his helmet in the air for a rousing curtain call.The fun was just getting started in Philly.Schwarber’s one-out walk in the third inning ignited a four-run burst.
Harper heard rousing "MVP! MVP!" chants that followed him from opening day introductions to his last at-bat. He showed why he earned that award last season with a hit to left that he stretched into a double.