When the Phillies’ attempts to trade for a fifth starter earlier this month failed, they had no choice but to give rookie Andrew Painter a second chance to show he could fill the role.
The 23-year-old right-hander continued to rise to the challenge Saturday night with the longest and best start of his young career – seven innings of one-run ball in a 12-3 thrashing of the St. Louis Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park.
The victory was the Phillies’ eighth straight, a season-best, as they improved to 15-5 in August. They are a season-high 14 games over .500 and have cut Atlanta’s lead in the National League East to three games with 32 remaining, while maintaining control of the second wild-card playoff spot.
The Phillies’ offense, on fire all month, continued to sizzle with 15 hits, including a three-run homer by Bryce Harper and a solo shot by Kyle Schwarber, his MLB-leading 38th. The Phils were 7 for 12 with runners in scoring position.
As much as Painter appreciated the robust offense, he really didn’t need it all. Not the way he pitched. Making his fifth start since returning from Triple A, he scattered five hits, walked none and struck out eight. He threw a first-pitch strike to 22 of 27 batters. His fastball reached 99.6 mph and he recorded 20 swings and misses, six with the new changeup – he ditched the splitter and went to a circle change – he brought back from Triple A, five with his four-seam fastball and four with his sweeper.
Since returning from his Triple A tune-up, Painter has recorded a 3.62 ERA and pitched at least into the sixth three times. The Phillies have won three of his five starts.
Painter was supported by some excellent defense. Harper made a nice sliding catch in right field and third baseman Edmundo Sosa ended the top of the seventh with a gem as the Cardinals left runners at second and third.
Manager Don Mattingly sat a couple of his lefty hitters against Quinn Mathews, the Cardinals’ left-handed starting pitcher. Two of them ended up in the game. Bryson Stott took over at second base in the fourth inning after Luis Arraez left the game with lower body cramps. Justin Crawford entered the game in the sixth after Derek Hill, who started in center field, exited with neck stiffness.
The Phils will look for their third straight series sweep Sunday afternoon behind Cristopher Sánchez.
More coming soon …