Phillies vs. Diamondbacks score, highlights: What we learned from Philly's 10-run blowout win in NLCS Game 2

The Phillies had back-to-back four-run innings in the lopsided win at Citizens Bank Park

The Philadelphia Phillies crushed the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-0 in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series on Tuesday, staking out a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. The Phillies are now two wins away from defeating the Diamondbacks and claiming their second consecutive NL pennant.

Right-hander Aaron Nola continued his excellent postseason, blanking the Diamondbacks over six innings of work. The Phillies' offensive onslaught, meanwhile, saw Kyle Schwarber launch two home runs and Trea Turner add his own as Philadelphia's lineup produced back-to-back four-run innings in the sixth and seventh to completely break the game open.

The series will take off Wednesday for travel purposes before shifting to Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona for Games 3 through 5 (if necessary). Here are four other things to know about the Phillies' Game 2 victory.

1. Schwarber, Turner continue homer fest

The Phillies broke the game wide open in the sixth and seventh innings. Before then, Game 2 was a tightly contested affair that hinged on a pair of home runs by Kyle Schwarber and one from Trea Turner. Let's roll that beautiful home-run footage:

Schwarber, for his part, moved into a tie for the second most career home runs in LCS history with his performance on Tuesday, surpassing Bernie Williams, Jose Altuve, and George Brett, among others. Here's a look at the top three:

1. Manny Ramirez: 13
T2. Kyle Schwarber: 10
T2. Albert Pujols: 10

Schwarber's second home run tied him with Reggie Jackson for the most ever hit in the postseason by a left-handed batter, with 18. Schwarber, to be fair, has benefitted from playing in an era with more playoff games in general. Those home runs, plus the ones the Phillies had hit in their previous three contests, established a new all-time MLB postseason record for most launched by a single team over a four-game stretch.

This is the second time the Phillies have scored 10 or more runs in a game this postseason. They also plated 10 in Game 3 of their NL Division Series victory versus the Atlanta Braves.

2. Nola dazzles, again

Aaron Nola had an uneven regular season. In 32 starts, he posted a 4.46 ERA (96 ERA+) and a 4.49 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He's been golden for the Phillies so far this postseason. In his first two starts -- one against the Braves, the other against the Marlins -- he surrendered a combined two runs on nine hits and two walks versus 12 strikeouts over the course of 12 2/3 innings.

Nola kept the good times rolling on Tuesday. In six innings, he gave up three hits and no walks. He struck out seven of the 22 batters he faced. Nola generated a game-high 11 swinging strikes, including five on his changeup and three on his signature knuckle curve.

Nola has now allowed just two runs over 18 2/3 postseason innings while amassing a 19-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio. That'll play.

3. How important is a 2-0 lead?

Logic dictates that the team with a two-game advantage in a best-of-seven series is working from a position of strength. Sure enough, history backs up that assertion.

According to the website WhoWins, MLB teams to take such a lead in a best-of-seven series have then won said series more than 84% of the time. Just 14 of the 89 teams to fall behind 2-0, meanwhile, have been able to recover and win the series.

Perhaps the D-backs will prove to be the 15th. For now, though, it's fair to write the odds are very, very much in favor of another trip to the World Series

What's next?

As noted above, the two sides will reconvene on Thursday after using Wednesday to travel to Arizona. Game 3 will feature Phillies left-hander Ranger Suárez (4-6, 4.18 ERA) squaring off against D-backs rookie righty Brandon Pfaadt (3-9, 5.72 ERA). First pitch is set for 5:07 p.m. ET.

[Oct 17, 2023 at 11:15 pm ET · R.J. Anderson]

Phillies win 10-0

They now possess a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Tomorrow is a travel day. Game 3 will be played Thursday afternoon at Chase Field in Arizona.

[Oct 17, 2023 at 11:13 pm ET · R.J. Anderson]

D-backs down to their final out

It's up to Gurriel.

[Oct 17, 2023 at 11:11 pm ET · R.J. Anderson]

D-backs have someone on here in the ninth

Trying to avoid the shutout.

[Oct 17, 2023 at 11:07 pm ET · R.J. Anderson]

Heading to the ninth

It's 10-0 Phillies.

[Oct 17, 2023 at 11:01 pm ET · R.J. Anderson]

Jake Cave tried for a triple. It did not work.

[Oct 17, 2023 at 10:59 pm ET · R.J. Anderson]

We're here in the bottom of the eighth

It's 10-0 Phillies. If "sim to the end" was an option in real life, I suspect it would be employed here.

[Oct 17, 2023 at 10:55 pm ET · R.J. Anderson]

Two outs here in the eighth

Phillies are four outs away from a 2-0 lead.

[Oct 17, 2023 at 10:37 pm ET · Matt Snyder]

10-0

There is no 10-run rule in the NLCS, just in case anyone was wondering.

[Oct 17, 2023 at 10:32 pm ET · Matt Snyder]

and a pop up drops between third baseman, pitcher and catcher. Longoria (3B) should've taken it. Things just falling apart for AZ.

[Oct 17, 2023 at 10:29 pm ET · Mike Axisa]

Bohm doubles in a pair

We're in boat race territory now. It's 8-0 Phillies in the seventh.

[Oct 17, 2023 at 10:14 pm ET · Matt Snyder]

Phillies break out in sixth inning

Heading to the sixth inning, the Phillies were leading Game 2 of the NLCS, but it felt a bit tenuous. It was 2-0 and the Phillies had only scored on two solo homers. Remember, in Game 1 the Diamondbacks threatened multiple times in the late innings and ended up scoring three runs in the final four frames. 

The bottom of the sixth inning created some breathing room for the Phillies and sent Citizens Bank Park into a frenzy. Again. 

Kyle Schwarber led off with a home run (more here). Trea Turner walked, but then the Diamondbacks recorded two outs and it looked like they'd still be facing a workable deficit. Then Bryson Stott singled and then JT Realmuto sent this ball to the gap, scoring an easy two runs. 

After Nick Castellanos was intentionally walked, Brandon Marsh doubled home Realmuto. 

Just like that, it was 6-0. That's how quickly things can escalate with this Phillies offense.

[Oct 17, 2023 at 10:14 pm ET · R.J. Anderson]

A poem for your consideration 

if the Nelson be Ryne

the Phillies be fine

if the Nelson be Kyle

just give it a little while

[Oct 17, 2023 at 10:09 pm ET · Mike Axisa]

Marsh doubles to add a sixth run

The Phillies have hit a ton of homers, though they've also stranded a lot of runners on base the last two games. The hits came that inning.

[Oct 17, 2023 at 10:06 pm ET · R.J. Anderson]

Realmuto doubles

It's 5-0 Phillies in the sixth.

[Oct 17, 2023 at 9:55 pm ET · Matt Snyder]

Schwarber stays hot, puts Phillies up 3-0

Kyle Schwarber just hit another home run and it was a titanic blast. 

That was 427 feet of bell-ringing fun in Philly. The Phillies took a 3-0 lead on the blast, with all their runs coming on solo home runs. 

Schwarber now has 18 career playoff home runs in this his 60th career playoff game. If we isolate just the LCS (he played in two for the Cubs, one for the Red Sox and now this is his second with the Phillies), this is his 21st game and he has 10 homers. 

Schwarber is now tied for second all-time in LCS home runs with Albert Pujols. Manny Ramirez is the leader with 13 while Bernie Williams, Jose Altuve and George Brett have nine apiece.

Further, Schwarber is now tied with Mr. October, Reggie Jackson, for the most home runs from the left side of the plate in postseason history. I noted above Schwarber has 18, so obviously Reggie did too. Hall of Famers Jim Thome and David Ortiz had 17 (via Christopher Kamka). 

Also, here's a good trivia nugget for you: Schwarber is the only player to homer in every possible playoff round (AL Wild Card, NL Wild Card, ALDS, NLDS, ALCS, NLCS, World Series). 

[Oct 17, 2023 at 9:52 pm ET · Mike Axisa]

I know Kelly was cruising, but to not have a lefty ready for Harper just in case is ... not great.

[Oct 17, 2023 at 9:49 pm ET · R.J. Anderson]

Another Schwarber home run

It's now 3-0 Phillies.

[Oct 17, 2023 at 9:45 pm ET · R.J. Anderson]

Nola is through six

Phillies continue to lead 2-0.

[Oct 17, 2023 at 9:43 pm ET · Mike Axisa]

This is one of those "it feels like they have a bigger lead than they actually do" games. Nola's in control but the D-backs are a swing away here.

[Oct 17, 2023 at 9:42 pm ET · R.J. Anderson]

Hoffman is warming

Nola is at 76 pitches with two outs in the sixth.

[Oct 17, 2023 at 9:41 pm ET · R.J. Anderson]

Marte doubles here in the sixth

D-backs trying to get their first run of the game.

[Oct 17, 2023 at 9:38 pm ET · Stephen Pianovich]

The stars are out at CBP

[Oct 17, 2023 at 9:28 pm ET · Mike Axisa]

Phillies up 2-0 through five

There have been two solo homers and two singles in this game.

[Oct 17, 2023 at 9:18 pm ET · R.J. Anderson]

We're through four

It's 2-0 Phillies.

[Oct 17, 2023 at 9:10 pm ET · R.J. Anderson]

Nola strands two

It's 2-0 Phillies heading into the bottom of the fourth.

[Oct 17, 2023 at 9:10 pm ET · R.J. Anderson]

Moreno with a liner to left

D-backs now have runners on first and second with two outs.

[Oct 17, 2023 at 9:08 pm ET · R.J. Anderson]

Nola with the comeback sinker

Strikes out Walker for the second out of the inning. Pham still at first.

[Oct 17, 2023 at 9:02 pm ET · R.J. Anderson]

The D-backs have a hit

Marte with a leadoff single in the fourth.

[Oct 17, 2023 at 8:59 pm ET · Matt Snyder]

Schwarber loves the LCS

Last season, Kyle Schwarber was 1 for 20 with no homers through the Wild Card Series and NLDS. Then he woke up with a three-homer, 6 for 15 NLCS (he also homered three times in the World Series). 

Through the first two rounds this year, Schwarber was 4 for 25 with no homers. He then hit a home run to start the NLCS and in Game 2, went deep in his second plate appearance: 

That is now the 17th playoff home run of Schwarber's career. He's hit nine homers in his 21 LCS games (three with the Cubs, one with the Red Sox and now five with the Phillies). 

[Oct 17, 2023 at 8:58 pm ET · R.J. Anderson]

Homers win games.