MINNEAPOLIS -- The first time we saw Andrew Painter pitch in a Phillies uniform came against the Twins in a March 1, 2023, Spring Training game in Fort Myers.
It took less than one inning for players on both teams to take notice of the 19-year-old. Painter's first pitch was a 98 mph fastball. A few pitches later, he pumped a 99 mph strike to then-Twins shortstop Carlos Correa that left the three-time All-Star declaring, "This kid’s going to be a star."
Little did anyone know at the time, that day would ultimately change everything for Painter. He felt discomfort in his right elbow the next morning. Three months later, he underwent Tommy John surgery.
Painter's next pitch in a Phillies uniform wouldn't come until exactly three years after that spring debut vs. the Twins.
Once again facing the Twins on Sunday afternoon, the first inning told the story of Painter. This time, though, it was a reminder of just how long his journey has been over the past three and a half years -- and how far the 23-year-old still has to go.
Despite Painter's rocky start, the Phillies overcame a four-run first inning to complete a three-game sweep that spanned two states with a 7-5 victory at Target Field. Alec Bohm's three-run homer in the sixth and Bryan De La Cruz's go-ahead two-run single in the eighth helped push the Phils a game ahead of the D-backs in the NL Wild Card race.
As for Painter, he started the game by walking leadoff hitter Trevor Larnach on four pitches -- none of which were particularly close to the zone. He then appeared to give himself a bit of a reprieve by getting Byron Buxton to ground into a double play. Painter, however, gave up back-to-back line-drive singles before a second walk loaded the bases.
Painter caught a break when Brooks Lee narrowly missed a grand slam by pulling a hanging sweeper just inches foul down the right-field line. When Painter hung a slider in the same spot on the very next pitch, Lee again unloaded on it -- and this one did not hook foul.
Tempers flared moments later when Painter began the next at-bat by plunking Luke Keaschall on the helmet. The Twins right fielder had some words for Painter and catcher J.T. Realmuto, and the umpires huddled for a lengthy meeting before issuing warnings to both teams.
Cooler heads ultimately prevailed, and Painter managed to settle in following the dust-up. He went on to pitch five innings with the only other blemish coming on a Kody Clemens solo homer in the third.
Painter’s rebound set the stage for the Phillies to rally for their first sweep since June 2-4 against the Padres.