Kyle Schwarber hits big home run for Team USA, José Alvarado gets final 3 outs in Venezuela win over the Dominican Republic

A handful of current and former Phillies shined in the first full day of World Baseball Classic pool play.

The biggest swing belonged to Kyle Schwarber, who crushed a three-run home run over the pool in right-center field to give Team USA a 5-1 lead. The U.S. went on to win 6-2 in their Pool C opener against Great Britain at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.

Schwarbomb babypic.twitter.com/7ULejy2Vv1

— Phillies Nation (@PhilliesNation) March 12, 2023

Schwarber went 1-for-3 with two walks. J.T. Realmuto doubled in three at-bats and Trea Turner was 1-for-4.

Vance Worley, who pitched for the Phillies from 2010 to 2012, started for Great Britain against the U.S. He allowed two unearned runs over 2 2/3 innings in what was a surprisingly great performance against a lineup of MVP candidates. Worley has not pitched in the majors since 2017.

Nick Ward, who was born in Kennett Square and signed a minor league deal with the Phillies this season, was in the starting lineup for Great Britain. Darnell Sweeney, who played for the Phillies in 2015, was also in Great Britain’s starting lineup.

Back on the east coast, José Alvarado protected a four-run lead and closed out a 5-1 Venezuela victory over the juggernaut Dominican Republic squad in Miami. He faced a murder’s row of hitters: Julio Rodriguez, Juan Soto, Manny Machado, Teoscar Hernandez and Rafael Devers.

He lost the zone during his at-bat against Machado, but quickly rebounded to get Hernandez out on strikes with a fastball perfectly located on the inside. A groundout against Devers ended the game.

José didn’t have his best command, but the Phillies lefty closed out Venezuela’s first ever win against the DR in the WBC. pic.twitter.com/byNlhNEoxc

— Phillies Nation (@PhilliesNation) March 12, 2023

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