Phillies survive shorthanded bullpen for win over Cardinals
NBC Sports Philadelphia • • sports
Key Points:
- Phillies starter Andrew Painter delivered a strong performance Monday, carrying a no-hitter into the sixth inning and helping the team secure a 6-5 win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
- Painter earned his second MLB win and first since his debut, pitching six innings with six strikeouts and three walks, while reliever Alan Rangel added eight outs to preserve the lead amid a fatigued Phillies bullpen.
- The Phillies maintained their hold on the final National League wild-card spot by one game over San Diego, with 42 games remaining in the season.
- Jonathan Bowlan, the Phillies' lone reliable bullpen arm available, recorded his first major-league save in the ninth inning, marking an emotional milestone in front of family and friends.
- Phillies manager Don Mattingly acknowledged the bullpen's ongoing fatigue but expressed optimism that recent performances, including Painter's, have brought the team closer to a sustainable pitching rotation.
