Andrew Painter’s debut worth the wait for Phillies in win over Nationals
PHILADELPHIA — Andrew Painter’s major-league debut was worth the wait.
Painter, the top prospect and former first-round pick, allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings on Monday night, almost three years removed from Tommy John surgery and a season after his “July-ish” premier was supposed to take place. He surrendered four hits and a walk, struck out eight and gave both sets of the “Painter’s Painters” fan club — one in the upper deck and one in the Hall of Fame club — something to cheer about in a 3-2 win over the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park.
“It was awesome,” Painter said. “The crowd showed up tonight. I just kind of soaked all of it in. I don’t think I could have drawn it up much better.”
The Phillies (2-3) seemed sparked by Painter’s arrival. The veteran squad entered Tuesday on a three-game losing streak after an Opening Day victory and were blown out in Monday’s series opener. The rookie pitcher on the mound brought some extra excitement, and his actual performance led the way.
“We needed a start like that,” catcher J.T. Realmuto said, “just because our offense has been starting so slow. So for him to come out and dominate and keep us in the game, throw up a bunch of zeros — it felt like they were quick innings — it was able to help us kind of catch a roll and let guys get their swings off.”
The 6-foot-7 right-hander Painter struck out the first batter he faced, James Wood, on his way to a 1-2-3 top of the first inning. He revved his fastball up to 98.7 mph. The announced crowd of 40,709 rewarded him with a standing ovation as he walked to the dugout.
Once designated hitter Kyle Schwarber put the Phillies on the board in the third with a 397-foot solo home run off the facing of the second deck in right field, Painter cruised for two more innings. He worked around a Little League double in the fourth inning that middle infielders Trea Turner and Bryson Stott lost in the lights, then fired a scoreless fifth.
Up 3-0 after Adolis García homered and Justin Crawford scored on an error, the Phillies sent Painter back out for the sixth, but pulled him after he allowed a one-out single to CJ Abrams. Another ovation ensued, and Painter tipped his cap to the crowd on the advice of manager Rob Thomson.
“I was just trying to take all of it in, didn’t want it to speed up,” Painter said. “So he told me to do that. I almost forgot, but I did it.”
Reliever Tanner Banks allowed the inherited runner to score, blemishing Painter’s line, but it hardly soiled his debut. While Banks gave up another run in the seventh, the Phillies locked down the win for Painter. The 22-year-old took care of business against a lackluster Nationals lineup that racked up 13 runs against the Phillies the previous night. The stuff played, and he looked like he belonged. Painter finally got to check this momentous box.
The Phillies hope it’s the start of something special.
“If we can keep him healthy, this guy’s going to be really good for a long time,” Thomson said. “He’s going to have a really great career. He’s one of those upper-echelon guys. He’s got the combination of power and command. The future is bright for him.”