ST. LOUIS – A little nominative determinism can go a long way, and for the bulk of Monday’s series opener at Busch Stadium, the Phillies were the beneficiaries. In need of some length to protect a bruised bullpen and wanting to see one of their most tantalizing prospects turn in a top-notch performance, a 23-year-old righty climbed the mound and carried with him a no-hit bid that he took into the sixth inning.
In one of the best starts of his young career, Painter allowed just two hits – one to each of the last two hitters he faced – and struck out six, allowing two earned runs. The victory was his second of the season and first since March 31, his first start. It was the fifth time in 15 starts that he recorded as many as six strikeouts, and the two hits allowed were the smallest total of his young career to date.
The Phillies’ offense broke through early against Cardinals starter Hunter Dobbins, with some assistance from the St. Louis defense. What should have been a harmless chopper back to the mound by Derek Hill in the second inning became a run-scoring play after Dobbins airmailed a routine throw to first base, allowing Brandon Marsh to race around from first and leaving Hill on third.
Kyle Schwarber reached base safely four times for the Phils, scoring in the fifth after Jordan Walker committed a fielding error in right field and contributing a sharp RBI double in the seventh. Former Cardinal Edmundo Sosa reached base three times and drove in three, including a two-run double in the eighth to put the game fully out of reach.
