Finding Grit in the Ruins: Andrew Painter’s Toughest Test

PHILADELPHIA -- There isn't much to take away from a performance when a rookie pitcher gives up eight runs in 3 2/3 innings.

Don Mattingly saw something positive in Andrew Painter's horrific night.

Heading to the fourth inning in an outing that Painter and the Phillies could already flush, Mattingly gave Painter an opportunity to end his night. An easy out after giving up seven runs in three innings.

The night wasn't getting any better, but Painter decided to go out there and try to eat another inning. He wanted to do it for his bullpen and not back down when things weren't going how he wanted.

"You have to learn how to deal with that stuff," Painter said. "Stuff wasn't going my way, but as a competitor, you wanna go out there and just compete until you can't anymore."

A Night to Forget on the Scoreboard

That was the positive Mattingly took from Painter's rough night. Painter gave up eight runs on seven hits in those 3 2/3 innings, striking out two and walking three.

His ERA has ballooned to 6.89 in his first seven starts, not what the Phillies were expecting after waiting three years for their top pitching prospect to make his debut.

The Decision to Stay in the Fight

Still, Mattingly saw the competitive side of Painter on Thursday night -- and why he believes he can turn things around.

Mattingly’s Takeaway on Competitive Fire

"It could have been a spot where he took his ball and went home, and he didn't," Mattingly said. "He wanted to go back out. I think that's the connection you have with your club, knowing that you don't wanna run through your whole bullpen tonight and it affects tomorrow's game."

Painter's had some rough outings since coming back from Tommy John surgery last year, but this one was arguably the roughest. He allowed four runs before even recording an out; two were home runs to Shea Langeliers and Brent Rooker.

The Athletics were up 4-0 before the Phillies could even blink. They won 12-1.

The focus was on how Painter has fared through seven starts, and rightfully so. In addition to the 6.89 ERA, Painter has allowed 44 hits and six home runs in just 32.2 innings. Opposing hitters are batting .321 against Painter, and he has a WHIP of 1.71.

The fastball has been getting hit, and the command is still a work in progress.

"It's been hit or miss," Painter said on his command. "The last two (starts) specifically, I've been spraying a little bit. I just kinda have to dial it in a little bit.

"The misses have been; it hasn't been a consistent miss. Last week it was a lot of glove side. This week it was a lot of arm side."

Looking Ahead: The Road to Recovery Post-Surgery

The Phillies believe Painter can turn things around quickly, as he's only pitched seven games in his big league career. There are going to be a lot of ups and downs along the way, but Painter showed Mattingly he can handle adversity.

Coming out in that fourth inning was all Mattingly needed to see.

"He's a kid that knows he's got good stuff and is confident in what he can do," Mattingly said. "He's still a young guy, though. This is the first time he's kind of gotten punched early in the face, and where the game got out of hand early. That's a tough spot.

"I think he’s a mature kid. He’s going to keep working, and he’ll be better."

Article from 97.3 ESPN Phillies insider, Jeff Kerr, who you can follow on X at @JeffKerrPHL.  Jeff has covered the Phillies for CBS 3 in Philadelphia and the Eagles and the NFL for CBS Sports, and currently covers the Eagles for Sports Illustrated.