SCHWARBER: 5 HRS IN 2 GAMES TIES MARK

Kyle Schwarber homered three times and tied a major league record with five in a two-game span, leading the Washington Nationals over the New York Mets 5-2 Sunday to take three of four in the series.

Schwarber set a Nationals/ Montreal Expos record by homering nine times in a 10-game span, increasing his total to 18 this season with his first career three-homer game. Moved to the leadoff spot on June 12, Schwarber had four RBIs for the second straight game.

“To be honest with you, I don’t know what’s going on,” Schwarber said.

He hit a 2-0 fastball from Taijuan Walker (6-3) for his fourth leadoff home run this season, capped an eight-pitch at-bat starting the fifth by homering on a sinker for a 3-1 lead.

“I think he’s just locked in right now,” Walker said. “He was just hitting every fastball we threw at him.”

Schwarber then hit an 0-1 slider from Jeurys Familia for a two-run homer into the Mets’ bullpen in left field in the seventh.

“I’m a big believer that hitting is a feeling. Don’t get me wrong, there’s mechanical, there’s approach, things like that,” Schwarber said. “But when you step in the box and everything feels right, you already have a big advantage.”

Notable

Colorado placed LHP Austin Gomber, who left Saturday night’s start after two innings, on the 10day injured list with left forearm tightness and selected the contract of RHP Joe Harvey from Triple-A Albuquerque.

Twins 3B Josh Donaldson (calf) missed his third straight game and is still being evaluated.

The Cubs selected LHP Kyle Ryan from Triple-A Iowa and optioned RHP Cory Abbott to Iowa. They also designated RHP Robert Stock for assignment. Also, Cubs manager David Ross acknowledged INF Matt Duffy’s recovery from a strained lower back is taking longer than the Cubs expected.

Blue Jays General Manager Ross Atkins said LHP Steven Matz (COVID-related) has thrown up to 70 pitches and could rejoin the team this week in Miami.