There are some baseball games where the setting does half the work for you.
Then there are nights when a player decides to steal the entire show.
That was Kyle Schwarber on Thursday night.
Playing at the iconic Field of Dreams site in Dyersville, Iowa, Schwarber launched two home runs as the Philadelphia Phillies cruised past the Minnesota Twins, 7-1. The performance pushed Schwarber’s MLB-leading home run total to 37.
And fittingly, his first one didn’t take long.
Schwarber stepped to the plate as the Phillies’ leadoff hitter and sent the third pitch he saw deep into right field and toward the famous corn. Just like that, the Field of Dreams had its first Schwarbomb of the night.
But Schwarber wasn’t finished.
In the fourth inning, he got another one out of the park. This time, Twins outfielder Luke Keaschall nearly made an incredible play at the wall, but the ball bounced off his glove and went over the fence for Schwarber’s second homer of the night.
Two swings. Two home runs. Three RBIs.
Not a bad way to make your mark on one of baseball’s most recognizable stages.
The Phillies eventually walked away with a comfortable 7-1 win. Aaron Nola also turned in a strong performance, giving Philadelphia five innings of one-run baseball while striking out nine. Brandon Marsh added another homer later in the game.
But let’s be honest this was Schwarber’s night.
The Field of Dreams game is built around nostalgia. It’s supposed to remind fans why they fell in love with baseball in the first place.
Schwarber gave them something extra.
He gave them a couple of baseballs disappearing into the Iowa night.
And with 37 home runs already this season, the Phillies slugger is once again making a serious case as one of the most dangerous power hitters in the game.
Maybe the Field of Dreams really does work.
Just ask Kyle Schwarber.
