PHILADELPHIA — Andrew Painter fired 103 pitches Saturday night, the best he’s ever looked on a big-league mound, and there will be so many metrics to dissect why he authored seven terrific innings against the St. Louis Cardinals.They could explain the better life on his fastball. They could explain how a new grip on his changeup helped him better orient his fingers on his fastballs. They could explain how he commanded his entire arsenal with more precision.But it was the final seven pitches Painter threw in a 13-2 Philadelphia Phillies win that explained it all. The Phillies had a big lead, so they could push Painter further than they ever had. But he had earned it. And, with two outs in the seventh inning and two runners in scoring position, Painter wanted the moment.It was different.“Especially just seeing how bad he wanted to finish it,” catcher J.T. Realmuto said. “I could tell that was really important to him.”Painter started Blaze Jordan with a sweeping slider on the inner edge of the zone that Jordan fouled off. It was the 27th batter Painter had faced and the 22nd time he’d thrown a first-pitch strike. He dotted a slider on the outer edge for another foul ball. He tried to make Jordan chase with a slider located farther away, but the batter took it.
Phillies’ Andrew Painter, armed with confidence, authors a start that rewards team’s faith
The highlight of the team's eighth straight win was a seven-inning out by Painter, who has turned things around since rejoining the team.
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