Schwarber's four-homer game fuels MVP bid, free-agent buzz

Kyle Schwarber blasted four home runs against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night at Citizens Bank Park, propelling the Philadelphia Phillies to a 19-4 victory and vaulting the slugger into the middle of the National League MVP and free-agent conversations. Schwarber's night moved him to an NL-leading 49 homers and a major-league-leading 119 RBIs as he produced a Phillies single-game record nine RBIs in what became the 21st four-homer game in MLB history.

Schwarber homered in the first, fourth, fifth and seventh innings, with the long balls coming off Cal Quantrill, left-hander Austin Cox twice, and Wander Suero. The sequence included a solo shot in the first and two three-run drives, and it marked the third four-homer game in the majors this season after Eugenio Suarez and Nick Kurtz. According to MLB, Schwarber was 4 for 5 in the game; the Associated Press reported him as 4 for 6.

The historic performance reinforces a season that has dramatically increased Schwarber's market value as he approaches free agency. Analysts are already projecting additional milestones. ESPN insiders Jesse Rogers and Buster Olney predicted on Monday that Schwarber will win the NL home run title,...