Andrew Painter, who struck out 69 batters in nine starts at BayCare Ballpark as a Clearwater Thresher in 2022, became the youngest pitcher in Philadelphia Phillies history to win a postseason game Wednesday, Sept. 30.

The 23-year-old right-hander threw three scoreless innings of relief in his postseason debut in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Atlanta Braves. He struck out three and threw 37 pitches as the Phillies earned a 4-3 victory in 10 innings at Truist Park in Atlanta, MLB.com reported.

The win tied the best-of-three series at one game apiece and forced a decisive Game 3.

Painter settles down after six straight balls

Painter entered in the bottom of the eighth with the score tied 3-3. His first six pitches missed the strike zone, prompting a mound visit from pitching coach Caleb Cotham. Painter settled in, getting Michael Harris II to ground into a double play before Sean Murphy popped out on the first pitch.

Painter worked around a two-out single in the ninth. Alec Bohm's solo home run in the top of the 10th then gave Philadelphia a 4-3 lead.

In the bottom of the 10th, Painter struck out Matt Olson before Mauricio Dubón singled. Painter struck out Austin Riley, but Harris followed with another single, putting runners at first and second with two outs.

Painter then faced pinch-hitter Dominic Smith. His final pitch, a 99 mph fastball on the inside edge, was initially called a ball, according to Phillies Nation.

Painter tapped his head to signal a challenge under Major League Baseball's Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System. Catcher J.T. Realmuto did the same. The call was overturned to strike three, ending the game. It was the first game-ending ABS challenge in postseason history.

"That's a career-altering performance, in my opinion," Realmuto said.

Painter had been used in relief only twice previously in his professional career, once after a migraine prevented him from making a scheduled start and once behind an opener. He said afterward that he never imagined his first genuine bullpen outing would come in the postseason.

Demotion preceded second-half turnaround

The road to Wednesday's postseason win included a difficult start to Painter's rookie season.

Painter had a 7.06 ERA when Philadelphia optioned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on June 17. In his third start there, he allowed seven runs on eight hits and four walks in 2 2/3 innings.

He returned to the Phillies on July 31 and posted a 3.65 ERA over 11 outings the rest of the regular season. He finished 3-10 with a 5.40 ERA overall in 23 starts.

Interim manager Don Mattingly said Painter went to work in the minors and came back a different pitcher. Mattingly had expressed confidence in Painter even before the postseason, saying after Painter's final regular-season start Sept. 25 that the young arm was "legit" and that Philadelphia would "like this kid for a while."

Painter's rise included dominant Clearwater stint

Before reaching Philadelphia, Painter spent part of his breakout 2022 season with the Clearwater Threshers.

He went 1-1 with a 1.40 ERA in nine starts, striking out 69 and walking 16 in 38 2/3 innings. Threshers pitching coach Vic Díaz, who worked with Painter that season, described him in a March oral history on MiLB.com as a kid at heart who was thrilled just to pitch in an R2-D2 jersey at BayCare Ballpark.

The Threshers honored him with a bobblehead giveaway at BayCare Ballpark on July 24.

Painter was the Phillies' 13th overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft and signed for a $3.9 million bonus. He was in consideration for a rotation spot as a 19-year-old in 2023 before an elbow injury led to Tommy John surgery later that year.

He did not return to competitive action until 2025.

Painter kept the game ball from Wednesday's win. Despite throwing 37 pitches, he said afterward that he would be available if needed for the decisive Game 3 on Thursday, Oct. 1, on NBC and Peacock.