Jul 27, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Otto Kemp (4) hits a solo home run against the New York Yankees during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images John Jones
NEW YORK — Otto Kemp had a day to remember in Sunday's series finale against the Yankees. The Phillies did not.
In the best performance by a Phillies' third baseman at Yankee Stadium since Maikel Franco burst onto the scene with a multi-home run game on June 22, 2015, Kemp homered twice for the first time in his young MLB career:
Otto Kemp is the second Phillie to go deep in three batters! 🚀
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Otto Kemp has the second multi-homer game by a Phillie at Yankee Stadium this weekend! 🚀
(Via @aokstott)
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The rookie also made a tremendous defensive play to rob Cody Bellinger of a hit in the seventh inning:
Otto Kemp, have yourself a day!
(Via @aokstott)
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It was an especially muggy day Sunday, and Zack Wheeler had to labor through 5 2/3 innings without his typical control. He struck out eight batters, but gave out two walks and hit another three batters.
There's something to be said for the fact that Wheeler kept the Phillies in the game given that the Yankees put up four runs on him in the second inning, with the biggest blow coming in the form of a two-run double by the recently-acquired Ryan McMahon. It felt like this game could get out of hand at one point, and Wheeler kept that from happening.
An additional run was kept off the board in the bottom of the third inning. Bellinger led off the inning with what was scored a triple, although it came after a brutal read from Nick Castellanos — who had hit a solo home run earlier — in right field. Castellanos got a late break on the ball and then went into a slide. He didn't ultimately get to the ball, and it rolled to the wall.
Fortunately for the Phillies, Wheeler struck out Giancarlo Stanton. He then got Jazz Chisholm to fly out to center field, with Johan Rojas and J.T. Realmuto combining for the inning-end double play:
This tag by J.T. Realmuto to give Johan Rojas an outfield assist and end the threat by the Yankees was amazing! 🤯
(Via @aokstott)
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The great play by Realmuto and Kemp's big day weren't enough, though, as the Phillies ultimately fell 4-3. Closer Devin Williams — who has had a very uneven season with the Yankees — retired the Phillies in order in the ninth, including striking out Kemp to end the game.
The Phillies will continue their six-game roadtrip Monday in Chicago, as they'll open a series at Rate Field against the lowly White Sox. Looming over the series will be Thursday's MLB trade deadline, with Chicago outfielder Luis Robert Jr. reportedly among those who could be of interest to the Phillies.
