Blowout leads to unusual Phillies defensive alignment in ninth

PHILADELPHIA — Thursday night’s game was essentially over when the first four batters came around to score against rookie right-handed pitcher Andrew Painter. Painter allowed eight earned runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings in a blowout 12-1 loss to the A’s.

For those that stuck around, the ending provided some comedic relief.

Down by 11 runs, the Phillies opted for a position player to pitch the ninth. That of course was catcher Garrett Stubbs, who entered the game an inning earlier as a defensive replacement for Trea Turner. Stubbs made his first career appearance at third base as Edmundo Sosa shifted from third to shortstop.

The defensive alignment behind Stubbs in the ninth was curious to say the least. Felix Reyes, who entered the game in the sixth as a defensive replacement for Bryce Harper at first base, moved across the diamond to third. Reyes played in four games at third base for Double-A Reading last season.

Interim manager Don Mattingly explained the timing behind Harper’s removal from the game. It wasn’t injury related.

“You don’t get many chance to get him just a little bit of a breather in a game like that,” Mattingly said. “Those are games that, for me, guys that play every day, those are really tough to be in. When the game is out of line and it’s getting out of hand, it’s just going to be pitch after pitch.”

Schwarber moved from designated hitter to first base. It was his first appearance at the position since the 2021 ALCS when he was a member of the Boston Red Sox. Schwarber played games at first base during Grapefruit League play in 2025. He has done some pregame work at the position.

Here is the full alignment for the ninth inning:

• P: Garrett Stubbs
• C: Rafael Marchan
• 1B: Kyle Schwarber
• 2B: Bryson Stott
• SS: Edmundo Sosa
• 3B Felix Reyes
• LF: Brandon Marsh
• CF Justin Crawford
• RF: Adolis García

Neither Schwarber nor Reyes needed to make a play at their new positions. Stubbs retired the side on only five pitches. Justin Crawford caught two routine fly balls in center and Brandon Marsh made a sliding grab in left for the final out. What was left of the 37,543 fans in attendance applauded Stubbs as he walked off the mound. It was his ninth career appearance on the mound and first since September 8, 2024.

Stubbs threw one of just two 1-2-3 innings for the Phillies all night. Jonathan Bowlan, who had the eighth inning, retired the middle of the A’s lineup in order.

The Phillies are 17-21 and still have a big hole to climb out of. They are 8-2 in their last 10 following the firing of manager Rob Thomson. Winners of three consecutive series, the Phillies will look to keep stacking up wins against the 15-23 Colorado Rockies this weekend.

The Phillies have played the better brand of baseball Mattingly wanted to see when he first took the job. But Thursday was a reminder of just how ugly it can get again.