Schwarber, Stott and Marsh homer for the Phillies as they beat the Nationals 11-6

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kyle Schwarber's three-run shot — his second homer in two games — was the big blow in a five-run sixth inning, and Brandon Marsh's three-run drive in the seventh that drew “Let's go, Phillies!” chants at Nationals Park lifted Philadelphia to an 11-6 win over Washington on Saturday.

Jesús Luzardo (1-0) struck out 11 in five innings in his Phillies debut. The only scoring he allowed came on Keibert Ruiz's two-run homer in the second.

The Phillies tied it on Bryson Stott's two-run shot in the fourth off Jake Irvin, who also lasted five innings.

Colin Poche (0-2) entered in the sixth and loaded the bases with one out. He gave way to Lucas Sims, who walked in the go-ahead run and threw a wild pitch that scored another, stretching Philadelphia’s lead to 4-2.

Schwarber, who led off after batting fourth Thursday, then deposited a 1-2 pitch to right-center to make it 7-2, a lead that grew to 11-3.

Shortstop Trea Turner was scratched from Philadelphia's lineup Saturday because of a back spasm, and catcher J.T. Realmuto exited in the seventh inning with a bruised left foot.

Washington's Dylan Crews was 0 for 5 with five strikeouts. Amed Rosario and Nathaniel Lowe homered.

Sims' 12 pitches resulted in: a run-scoring walk, a run-scoring wild pitch, a three-run homer, and a single. His ERA is 40.50. Poche's is 54.00. Both allowed runs in Washington's 7-3 loss to Philadelphia on opening day.

Ruiz joined Turner — who used to play for Washington — as the only Nationals to homer in each of a season’s first two games.

The Phillies go for the sweep Sunday with RHP Aaron Nola — 3-0 with a 1.85 ERA against Washington last season — facing Nationals LHP Mitchell Parker, whose home ERA was 2.65 in 2024.

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

Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm throws to first but cannot get Washington Nationals' Amed Rosario who singled during the second inning of a baseball game, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Nationals' CJ Abrams, bottom, steals second base against Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Edmundo Sosa, front top, during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper, center, looks on from the dugout before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Brandon Marsh pours water on his head before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Nationals' Keibert Ruiz celebrates after his two-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber (12) celebrates after his three-run home run as he rounds the bases during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber, right, celebrates his three-run home run with Brandon Marsh (16) during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Republicans Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine won special elections Tuesday in two Florida congressional districts, bolstered by President Donald Trump’s endorsement to fill vacant seats in reliably Republican strongholds.

Patronis, the state’s chief financial officer, fended off a challenge from Democrat Gay Valimont even though she far outraised and outspent him. He will fill the northwest Florida 1st District seat vacated by former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who was chosen to be Trump’s attorney general but withdrew from consideration amid allegations of sexual misconduct, which he has denied.

In north Florida's 6th District, Fine won against Democratic challenger Josh Weil for a seat vacated by Mike Waltz when he was tapped to become Trump’s national security adviser.

The win bolsters Republicans’ margin of 220-213 in the House of Representatives.

Special elections are often low-turnout events that can lead to surprising results. While GOP wins were widely expected in both districts — two of the most heavily Republican in the country — it’s notable that Democrats narrowed the margins considerably from November.

The races were among the first electoral tests of Trump’s new administration. The narrowing margins may signal a shift in public sentiment, driven by unusually strong Democratic enthusiasm as the party poured millions into the races. Democrats hoped that backlash to the president’s overhaul of federal agencies and firing of federal workers would carve into the GOP’s margins at the polls.

Trump congratulated both candidates late Tuesday and said his endorsement helped them secure a victory.

“THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT, AS ALWAYS, PROVED FAR GREATER THAN THE DEMOCRATS FORCES OF EVIL. CONGRATULATIONS TO AMERICA!” he said on his Truth Social platform.

The mood was celebratory at a waterfront restaurant in Pensacola, where congratulatory text messages were already lighting up Patronis’ phone as early results were posted Tuesday night. Patronis worked the crowd of about 100 people shaking hands and giving hugs, his wife Katie and two sons in tow.

Republicans, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, had been saying that Fine’s underperformance should not be taken as a referendum on Trump, calling it a candidate-specific issue. However, early returns in the other district were showing that Patronis was also failing to match the large margins from November.

Fine, a self-described “conservative firebrand,” had faced growing pressure during the race’s final days as some Republicans publicly criticized his campaign and fundraising efforts, questioning whether this race would embarrass Republicans less than 100 days into Trump’s administration. Weil’s campaign raised an eye-popping $9 million compared to Fine’s $1 million.

National Democratic leaders have attributed Weil’s fundraising success to what they characterized as widespread outrage against Trump. That outrage failed to materialize in large enough numbers to overturn the outcome, foiling Democrats’ hope to pull off a huge upset that would have buoyed their party.

Fine was first elected to the Florida House in 2016 and ran each year as a representative until 2024 when he successfully won his election to the Florida Senate. He is known for his support of Israel and his efforts to restrict LGBTQ+ rights.

Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

Josh Weil talks to a group of supporters during a Get Out the Vote event in Ocala, Fla., Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephany Matat)