ATLANTA -- Andrew Painter had just fired off what he believed to be a game-ending strike to keep the Phillies' season alive.
Initially called a ball, Painter -- who was already walking toward the Phillies’ dugout -- frantically tapped his head. Catcher J.T. Realmuto did the same to initiate a challenge.
"He made a perfect pitch," Realmuto said. "He looked more sure it was a strike than I was, to be honest. He was that excited to get that out and make that pitch in that situation."
Sure enough, the call was overturned to seal the Phillies' 4-3 win over the Braves in 10 innings in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series.
Thursday's Game 3, airing on NBC and Peacock, will start at 2 p.m. ET unless it is the only remaining series. In that case, Phillies-Braves would start at 8 p.m. ET.
So wait ...
Why was Painter walking toward the dugout instead of walking in for the customary postgame handshake with Realmuto?
"I don't know," said the 23-year-old Painter, who had just become the youngest pitcher in Phillies history to win a postseason game. " ... Kind of just blacked out in the moment."
Added pitching coach Caleb Cotham: "I think that's just a symptom of him being so locked in."
The momentary lapse is understandable given how improbable this situation was -- and not just because it was the first walk-off ABS Challenge in postseason history.
Not only was this Painter’s postseason debut, but it was the only time he could recall ever making a genuine relief appearance out of the bullpen. Painter had been used in relief just twice during his professional career: Once when he was unable to make a start due to a migraine on April 12 that eventually faded throughout the day and the other behind an opener on June 12 against the Brewers.
"I never thought my first one would be in the postseason," said Painter, who kept the ball as a keepsake.
And then, of course, there's the fact that just three months ago, it was unclear when Painter would even throw another pitch in the big leagues this year.
He had been demoted to Triple-A on June 17 after a tumultuous start to his highly anticipated big league career. Painter had a 7.06 ERA at the time. In his third start with Lehigh Valley, he allowed seven runs off eight hits and four walks in just 2 2/3 innings.
The Phillies even tried to add another starter ahead of the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline, but they were unsuccessful.
When Painter was demoted, interim manager Don Mattingly said he still believed Painter could make an impact this year.
But could Mattingly ever have imagined this?
"I wish I could say I pictured it then because, obviously, it looked bad then," Mattingly said. " ... But I think it does speak to him and who he is. Went down, went to work, came back. He's been a different guy."
Even with Painter posting a 3.65 ERA over 11 outings following his return on July 31, it was unclear how -- if at all -- Painter would factor into the Phillies' postseason plans.
But with the club already short on reliable bullpen options and closer Jhoan Duran unavailable after throwing 27 pitches in Game 1, the Phils turned to Painter with the season on the line.
Painter came on for the bottom of the eighth with the game tied at 3-3 after a wild sequence in which Bryce Harper made a potential season-ending misplay, only to hit a game-tying homer one inning later.
Each of Painter's first six pitches missed the zone, prompting a visit from Cotham.
"Your best is good enough. You don't have to be anything more than who you are and what you're already capable of doing," Cotham told Painter. "You, J.T., the hitter -- this is what you've done all this for. Wouldn't want anyone else on the mound right now."
Realmuto echoed that message before retreating behind the dish.
Painter pumped in a strike on the next pitch, then got Michael Harris II to ground into a double play one pitch later. He then induced an inning-ending popout on the first pitch to Sean Murphy.
Just like that, the inning was over.
Painter worked around a two-out single in the ninth to send it to extras. After Alec Bohm's go-ahead homer in the top of the 10th, Painter could suddenly see the finish line.
"Knowing that three outs was going to get the job done, I was letting everything loose,” Painter said. “Everything I had in the tank, just emptying it."
With two on and two outs, Painter struck out pinch-hitter Dominic Smith on three pitches -- his third strikeout of the inning -- to cap three scoreless innings of relief.
"That's a career-altering performance, in my opinion," Realmuto said.
"It's a cool day. It's a great win; a great baseball game,” Cotham said. “But also for him, proud of him and proud of how much work he's put in to have it show up like that in a huge spot."
So where does it go from here?
"I'm excited to continue working with him," Realmuto said. "He's gonna be a stud."