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Kyle Schwarber hits 3 homers, drives in 7 runs as Phillies rally past Dodgers, 9-4

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Kyle Schwarber hits 3 homers, drives in 7 runs as Phillies rally past Dodgers, 9-4
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Kyle Schwarber hits 3 homers, drives in 7 runs as Phillies rally past Dodgers, 9-4

2024-08-08 14:10 Last Updated At:14:20

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kyle Schwarber hit three homers and tied his career high with seven RBIs, helping the Philadelphia Phillies rally to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-4 on Wednesday night.

The Dodgers lost two of three in the matchup between the National League’s top two teams, cutting their NL West lead to three games over surging Arizona — their smallest margin since late April.

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Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani swings at a pitch during the fourth inning of a baseball game against Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani swings at a pitch during the fourth inning of a baseball game against Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman (5) celebrates with teammates after scoring a run during the first inning of a baseball game against Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman (5) celebrates with teammates after scoring a run during the first inning of a baseball game against Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Tyler Phillips throws during the first inning of a baseball game against Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Tyler Phillips throws during the first inning of a baseball game against Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Gavin Stone throws during the first inning of a baseball game against Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Gavin Stone throws during the first inning of a baseball game against Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani runs to first during the first inning of a baseball game against Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani runs to first during the first inning of a baseball game against Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas jumps over Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) during the second inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas jumps over Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) during the second inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) celebrates with teammates while crossing home plate during the sixth inning of a baseball game against Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) celebrates with teammates while crossing home plate during the sixth inning of a baseball game against Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper makes contact with the ball during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper makes contact with the ball during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is ejected during the sixth inning of a baseball game against Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is ejected during the sixth inning of a baseball game against Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber hits a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber hits a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

“It's good to finally win a series,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “As of late we've been playing really good baseball and played a really good club over there.”

Schwarber's three-run homer capped a five-run sixth during which the NL East-leading Phillies tied and then took the lead. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was ejected by third base umpire Hunter Wendelstedt after an interference call on Miguel Rojas during the Phillies' outburst.

With Philadelphia down 4-3, Alec Bohm doubled to left and Brandon Marsh grounded into a fielder’s choice to third. Third baseman Kiké Hernández handled the bunt to his left side and threw to Miguel Rojas. Bohm slid and was called safe by Wendelstedt, who ruled interference by Rojas.

“He was in front of the bag without the ball, and that’s the new obstruction rule,” crew chief Marvin Hudson told a pool reporter. “Plus he was running in front of him to third. He was in front of third without the ball, so he obstructed the runner. The runner didn’t have a lane to get to the bag.”

Rojas was charged with an error. He became incensed and jawed with Wendelstedt as Roberts came out of the dugout.

Wendelstedt put up his hands indicating that Roberts should stop. He didn’t and Wendelstedt turned his back on Roberts before tossing him. It was Roberts’ 12th career ejection and first this season.

“He went out there to argue the play,” Hudson said. “And once you go down that road to argue the play, then you’re ejected because you can’t argue that play.”

Bohm scored on J.T. Realmuto's RBI groundout to third against Joe Kelly, tying it at 4.

Kelly walked Nick Castellanos and Johan Rojas to load the bases. Marsh scored on Kelly's wild pitch to make it 5-4. Schwarber's 426-foot blast to right-center extended the lead to 8-4.

Schwarber hit his 27th homer leading off the ninth against Michael Grove.

“The biggest thing is just being able to come through for the team,” Schwarber said. “There were a lot of other cool things that were done by guys today.”

The Phillies closed to 4-3 in the fifth on Schwarber’s two-run double into the right field corner that chased Gavin Stone.

Stone gave up a two-strike homer to Schwarber leading off the game.

Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia (2-4) took the loss.

After Gavin Lux's single in the third, the Phillies' staff retired 12 in a row.

Grove hit Nick Castellanos in the eighth and Matt Strahm drilled Lux in the bottom of the inning.

Freddie Freeman drove in three of the Dodgers' four runs, staking them to a 4-1 lead.

Both of Freeman's RBI singles came on first pitches from Phillies starter Tyler Phillips (4-1). Teoscar Hernández doubled, Phillips hit Kevin Kiermaier and Freeman singled up the middle, scoring Hernández to tie the game 1-1. Freeman scored on a single by Miguel Rojas, who was playing his first game since July 21.

In the second, Freeman's two-run RBI single to left extended the lead to 4-1.

The Phillies were 3 for 3 on challenges, getting calls overturned in the first, second and fifth innings.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Phillies: LF Austin Hays left the game in the third with left hamstring tightness.

Dodgers: RHP Brusdar Graterol had an MRI that showed a Grade 1 hamstring strain after leaving eight pitches into Wednesday's appearance. He went on the 15-day IL and the team hopes he'll be able to pitch again this season. ... SS Mookie Betts (hand), 3B Max Muncy (oblique) and newly acquired utilityman Tommy Edman (ankle and wrist) will participate in a simulated game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday. ... RHP Walker Buehler (hip) starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday.

UP NEXT

Phillies: LHP Kolby Allard (0-0, 4.50 ERA) starts Thursday at Arizona.

Dodgers: RHP Jack Flaherty (8-5, 2.80) makes his second start since coming to LA at the trade deadline on Friday against Pittsburgh. He pitched six shutout innings in a 10-0 win at Oakland last weekend.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani swings at a pitch during the fourth inning of a baseball game against Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani swings at a pitch during the fourth inning of a baseball game against Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman (5) celebrates with teammates after scoring a run during the first inning of a baseball game against Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman (5) celebrates with teammates after scoring a run during the first inning of a baseball game against Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Tyler Phillips throws during the first inning of a baseball game against Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Tyler Phillips throws during the first inning of a baseball game against Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Gavin Stone throws during the first inning of a baseball game against Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Gavin Stone throws during the first inning of a baseball game against Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani runs to first during the first inning of a baseball game against Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani runs to first during the first inning of a baseball game against Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas jumps over Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) during the second inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas jumps over Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) during the second inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) celebrates with teammates while crossing home plate during the sixth inning of a baseball game against Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) celebrates with teammates while crossing home plate during the sixth inning of a baseball game against Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper makes contact with the ball during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper makes contact with the ball during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is ejected during the sixth inning of a baseball game against Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is ejected during the sixth inning of a baseball game against Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber hits a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber hits a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A$AP Rocky turned down a final prosecution plea offer of 180 days in jail, risking the possibility of a guilty verdict and years in prison as jury selection began at his trial on Tuesday.

The agreement offered to the 36-year-old hip-hop star, fashion mogul and actor was to plead guilty to one of two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. Los Angeles County prosecutors would also recommend a seven-year suspended sentence, three years of probation and the six-month jail term.

But Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, told a judge he respectfully declined.

He is accused of firing at a former friend near a Hollywood hotel in 2021, and could get a maximum sentence of 24 years in prison if convicted. He has pleaded not guilty.

Rocky's attorney Joe Tacopina also revealed for the first time in court Tuesday that the defense plans to call witnesses to testify that a firearm seen on a security video is a starter pistol that Rocky carried as a prop for security.

A panel of more than 100 prospective jurors were summoned to the downtown Los Angeles courtroom and packed into the gallery. Opening statements will come once 12 of them and alternates are seated. That won't be until at least Wednesday, when selection is set to resume. Cameras will be allowed in the courtroom starting with openings.

The Grammy-nominated hip-hop star's longtime partner is Rihanna, and the couple have two toddler sons together. Tacopina suggested that it's unlikely the pop star will show up in court.

Rocky has been named one of the celebrity chairs of the Met Gala in May, and has a major role in a Spike Lee-directed film with Denzel Washington to be released soon after. But his life could be upended with a conviction.

Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold has said he hopes to seat a jury quickly, and is keeping strict limits on how long attorneys can question prospective jurors.

“Mr. Mayers is an entertainer," Arnold told the prospective jurors. "His stage name is A$AP rocky. His life partner is also an entertainer. Her name is Rihanna. Because Mr. Mayers is an entertainer, a celebrity, that cannot harm him, and it cannot benefit him."

Of the initial 12 jurors questioned, four said they knew who Rocky was, and 10 said they knew who Rihanna was.

In 2023, another judge ruled after a preliminary hearing that Rocky should stand trial on charges that he fired a gun at Terell Ephron, a childhood friend who testified that their relationship had soured and a feud came to a head on the night of Nov. 6, 2021. Ephron testified that bullets grazed his knuckles.

Initial questioning on Tuesday revealed that the recent Los Angeles-area wildfires have affected many of the potential jurors' lives, including one woman who is fostering many displaced animals, and at least one man who had to evacuate. The judge himself revealed he had to evacuate from his home for 11 days.

“Luckily the house didn’t burn down," Arnold said.

One man was excused early in the process because he said his anti-gun feelings were too strong for him to be fair.

Tacopina tried to explore the potential jurors' feelings about hip-hop artists and their music, and several said they had negative feelings, though not overwhelming ones. Some cited parenting as the reason.

“I used to love it but then I had a kid,” one panelist said.

Deputy District Attorney John Lewin, questioning for the prosecution, told those with negative feelings, “You will not be called upon to render a verdict on how you feel about rap music, do you understand that?" All said yes.

Tacopina, who like his client Rocky is from New York and has represented President Donald Trump, also asked whether anyone on the jury is rubbed the wrong way by New Yorkers, bringing laughs throughout the room.

“When I get up here with this ridiculous accent, which I try not to have but I do, is anyone going to have a problem?" he said. “I will point out that we gave you guys the Dodgers a few years ago.”

No one conceded any negative feelings.

“I love LA," the lawyer added.

FILE - A$AP Rocky, left, and Rihanna attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala in New York on Sept. 13, 2021. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

FILE - A$AP Rocky, left, and Rihanna attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala in New York on Sept. 13, 2021. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

FILE - Rapper A$AP Rocky at Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Feb. 9, 2019. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

FILE - Rapper A$AP Rocky at Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Feb. 9, 2019. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

FILE - Rapper A$AP Rocky appears in a Los Angeles Superior courtroom on Aug. 17, 2022, where he pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool, File)

FILE - Rapper A$AP Rocky appears in a Los Angeles Superior courtroom on Aug. 17, 2022, where he pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool, File)

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