PHILADELPHIA — The Athletics hit Andrew Painter early and often Thursday, defeating the Phillies 12-1 to prevent a sweep.
The A's got after Painter quickly, as Shea Langeliers followed a Nick Kurtz leadoff walk with a 412 foot home run:
Dad strength 💪 pic.twitter.com/GlfU7wH650
Things then repeated themselves, with Tyler Soderstrom drawing a walk before Brent Rooker brought him home with his fourth career homer at Citizens Bank Park (this was only his sixth game at CBP):
Rook joins the party 🥳 pic.twitter.com/C3Nz6uZ2NY
The A's were able to pile on more in the top of the third inning. Jacob Wilson followed a Carlos Cortes RBI single with a two-run homer to left field off of Painter:
Go Willy Go! pic.twitter.com/tFKDD9v6rh
Painter's evening lasted just 3 2/3 innings, but he was ultimately charged with eight earned runs. Over less than four innings, Painter allowed seven hits, while walking three batters and surrendering the three home runs.
There have been some indicators that Painter is due for positive regression, but that hasn't come over his last two starts. Last Saturday in Miami, Painter struggled with his control. Wednesday, everything he threw seemed to get hit hard. Over his first seven MLB appearances, Painter has had some impressive moments, but the bottom line is his ERA now sits at 6.89. The Phillies need better, particularly since they are short on starting pitching depth organizationally after the five at the majors right now.
Kyle Schwarber did hit his 12th homer of the season in the bottom of the fourth inning, a solo shot off of J.T. Ginn. By that point, though, the Phillies were in too deep of a hole to dig out of. Ginn ultimately went eight innings, limiting the Phillies to four hits and one run, while striking out eight.
With the loss, the Phillies drop to 17-21. However, it's just their second loss in 10 games under interim manager Don Mattingly, so the Phillies still largely feel like they are headed in the right direction.
The Phillies will welcome Mickey Moniak and the Colorado Rockies to town for a three-game weekend set beginning Friday. RHP Chase Dollander (3-2, 3.38 ERA and 3.49 FIP across 37 1/3 innings) is set to face off with Jesús Luzardo (3-3, 5.09 ERA and 2.72 FIP across 40 2/3 innings). Luzardo struck out 11 Rockies over 6 2/3 innings in a 2-1 Phillies win on April 4 at Coors Field.
