Philadelphia Phillies at St. Louis Cardinals

ST. LOUIS – A little nominative determinism can go a long way, and for the bulk of Monday’s series opener at Busch Stadium, the Phillies were the beneficiaries. In need of some length to protect a bruised bullpen and wanting to see one of their most tantalizing prospects turn in a top-notch performance, a 23-year-old righty climbed the mound and carried with him a no-hit bid that he took into the sixth inning. Andrew Painter was, well, painting, and Philadelphia scratched and clawed a 6-5 victory. In one of the best starts of his young career, Painter allowed just two hits – one to each of the last two hitters he faced – and struck out six, allowing two earned runs. The victory was his second of the season and first since March 31, his first start. It was the fifth time in 15 starts that he recorded as many as six strikeouts, and the two hits allowed were the smallest total of his young career to date. “It’s three in a row that he’s thrown the ball well since he came back \[from the Minors\