Updated
Updated · The Philadelphia Inquirer · Aug 11
Phillies Edge Cardinals 6-5 as Painter, Thin Bullpen Cover 9 Innings
Updated
Updated · The Philadelphia Inquirer · Aug 11

Phillies Edge Cardinals 6-5 as Painter, Thin Bullpen Cover 9 Innings

3 articles · Updated · The Philadelphia Inquirer · Aug 11

Summary

  • Andrew Painter carried a no-hit bid into the sixth and the Phillies escaped with a 6-5 win in St. Louis despite having only one rested reliever available.
  • 5 1/3 innings from Painter, 2 2/3 from Alan Rangel and a 10-pitch ninth from Jonathan Bowlan formed the entire pitching plan, with Bowlan earning his first major league save.
  • The bullpen shortage worsened after newly acquired reliever Caleb Kilian went on the injured list, leaving interim manager Don Mattingly prepared to use backup catcher Garrett Stubbs if the game reached extras.
  • 6 strikeouts and two earned runs made it one of Painter's strongest rookie starts, while his revamped changeup produced half of those strikeouts and helped the Phillies protect an overworked staff.

Insights

What hidden adjustments allowed Andrew Painter to instantly transform from a home-run liability into a no-hit threat against St. Louis?
With a shattered bullpen and key stars resting, how did a struggling 23-year-old pitcher single-handedly save the Phillies' grueling 14-game stretch?
Could the Cardinals' costly defensive meltdowns force a major lineup shakeup after handing a short-handed Philadelphia squad an improbable victory?