Phillies Opt for Bullpen Game as Painter is Pushed Back

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies opted for a bullpen game for their doubleheader finale against the San Francisco Giants, resulting in a 3-2 walk-off victory in Game 1 on Thursday afternoon.

Left-hander Tim Mayza, with 396 big-league appearances over nine seasons, is set to make his first career start. This decision came after the team pushed back rookie Andrew Painter, originally scheduled to pitch on Thursday.

Cristopher Sánchez, who pitched on Wednesday, allowed only two runs in 6 2/3 innings during the opener, contributing to the Phillies’ success. “Sánchy, we felt like, was going to give us a good game,” interim manager Don Mattingly stated after the win.

Mattingly emphasized the importance of managing the bullpen effectively, noting, “He usually does, right? Get us in somewhere into the game where we’re not just blowing up our ‘pen.”

The decision to push back Painter was strategic, as the Phillies will face the Miami Marlins in a four-game series starting Friday. Mattingly wanted to avoid using both Sánchez and Painter on the same day to prevent needing a spot starter on Monday in Miami.

With reliever Nolan Hoffman called up as the 27th man for the doubleheader, the Phillies felt confident in their bullpen strategy for Thursday’s game. Sánchez, despite a shaky start, rebounded and pitched effectively into the seventh inning.

After allowing two runs in the first inning, Sánchez settled in, and Mattingly opted to remove him after 85 pitches with two outs in the seventh. “Of course I wanted to stay out,” Sánchez said through a team interpreter, expressing his desire to finish the game.

Mattingly acknowledged the competitive nature of his players, stating, “That’s one thing about guys being upset. Doing this long enough, guys are competitive and they want to stay in the game.”

Right-hander Orion Kerkering entered to retire Heliot Ramos, who had two hits and a walk against Sánchez, but struggled in the eighth. Kerkering was replaced by lefty Tanner Banks, who escaped a jam but faced trouble in the ninth inning.

Righty Chase Shugart was brought in to secure the final out of the top of the ninth. The Phillies are set to continue their series against the Marlins on Friday.