Painter Masterclass Lifts Phillies to Eighth Straight Win as Offense Explodes

Rookie Andrew Painter delivered seven innings of one‑run ball as the Phillies rolled to a 12‑3 win over the Cardinals for their eighth straight victory. Painter walked none, fanned eight, and his 100th pitch reached 99.6 mph, while the offense piled up 15 hits including Bryce Harper’s three‑run homer and Kyle Schwarber’s solo shot. Philadelphia’s win, aided by a 7-for-12 showing with runners in scoring position, moved them to 14 games over .500, trimmed the NL East lead to three and left them two games behind the Cubs for the first wild‑card spot (while retaining the second wild‑card position).