BOSTON — Kyle Schwarber homered on the first pitch of the game and had another solo homer in the fifth inning, leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday.
Zack Wheeler (8-3) won his eighth straight decision. He is unbeaten in 10 starts since April 14.
Through seven innings, Wheeler allowed one run and three hits. He struck out four and walked one as Philadelphia extended its lead over the Atlanta Braves, division champions for the last six years, to 10 games.
It is the largest lead that Philadelphia has held at the top of the National League East so far this season.
Phillies pitchers retired 14 batters in a row before David Hamilton singled with one out in the ninth.
Venezuelan José Alvarado retired the next two hitters to earn his twelfth save.
Schwarber hit the first of his homers off Kutter Crawford (2-6), sending the ball 444 feet from the plate.
For the Phillies, Panamanian Edmundo Sosa 3-0. Dominican Johan Rojas 4-0.
For the Red Sox, the Dominicans Rafael Devers 4-0, Emmanuel Valdez 2-0.
