Walker (15-6) took the loss Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader against the Mets, giving up four runs on four hits and four walks over seven innings as the Phillies fell 4-3. He struck out three.
A three-run first inning nearly led to a quick exit for Walker, but he gutted out the early offense and helped preserve the Phillies' bullpen ahead of Tuesday's playoff opener in the wild-card round. The veteran righty tossed 106 pitches (64 strikes) in his final regular-season trip to the mound, and while Walker was able to give the Phillies innings in September, they weren't very effective ones -- he got tagged for at least four runs in four of his final five outings, posting a 5.93 ERA and 19:12 K:BB through 30.1 innings on the month.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Start postponed due to rain
Rotowire
Walker's next start will be pushed back after Friday's game between the Phillies and Mets was postponed due to rain, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Saturday, with Walker presumably now slated to start one of those contests. The right-hander will be looking for win No. 16 as he closes out his regular season.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Strong in no-decision
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Walker did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over six innings against the Mets. He struck out four.
Walker pitched well enough Friday night to earn his 11th quality start. The outing was a solid return to form after he had allowed three or more runs over his four previous starts. Walker has a 4.35 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 135:65 K:BB over 165.2 innings in his first season with the Phillies. He is currently slated to make his final start of the regular season next week against the Pirates.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Goes seven frames in no-decision
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Walker gave up five runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out three over seven innings Sunday against the Cardinals. He did not factor into the decision.
The Cardinals got to Walker for three runs in the third and two runs in the fifth, but he ended strong with two shutout innings and was able to provide the Phillies with some length. It's just the second start in the last seven games he's managed to go more than six innings, a span during which he's struggled to a 5.85 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and has just 29 strikeouts in 40 innings. The 30-year-old currently projects for a home matchup against his former team in the Mets.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Another rough outing
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Walker did not factor into the decision in Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader against Atlanta, allowing six runs (five earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out five over 5.1 innings.
Outside of a triple by Austin Riley in the first that turned into a little-league home run when the ball was fumbled in left field, Walker did not allow a home run, which was about the only positive development to take away from this outing. Walker threw only 53 of 103 pitches for strikes and hit two batters as part of the 11 runners he allowed to reach base. Walker has gone 16 consecutive starts throwing at least five innings, but following a stretch between June 6 and July 15 that saw him win seven consecutive games with a 1.64 ERA, Walker holds a 5.08 ERA over his last nine appearances. His next start is scheduled to take place this weekend in St. Louis.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Goes just deep enough to win
Rotowire
Walker (15-5) completed five innings Monday, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four batters to earn the win over San Diego.
Walker wasn't very effective in the outing, but he took advantage of a big early lead to take home the victory. The right-hander hasn't been going deep of late -- he's fallen short of six innings in each of his past four starts, posting a 5.23 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over 20.2 frames during that span but taking just one loss. Walker ranks third in the majors with 15 wins on the campaign, though his 4.15 ERA and 1.32 WHIP aren't anywhere near the marks of the league leaders.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Earns 14th win
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Walker (14-5) earned the win Monday, allowing three runs on eight hits and two walks over 5.2 innings against the Angels. He struck out six.
Walker dealt with plenty of baserunners Monday but managed to limit the damage to an RBI single in the first inning and a two-run single in the fourth. He exited the game with two outs in the sixth, holding a 5-3 lead and ultimately notched his 14th win, further adding to his career high. Walker has a 4.05 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 119:57 K:BB across 142.1 innings on the campaign. His next start is tentatively scheduled to come in Milwaukee over the weekend.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Seven strikeouts in no-decision
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Walker did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks over five innings against the Giants. He struck out seven.
In his return to Philadelphia's rotation, Walker ran into some bad luck in the first inning, allowing an unearned run to score after his defense committed two early errors. The 31-year-old righty then managed to hold San Francisco at bay until Joc Pederson laced a two-run double in the fifth. Walker had been living up to his last name in his previous seven starts, issuing 4.7 BB/9 to go with a 4.25 ERA and 1.37 WHIP across 42.1 innings during that stretch. He is projected to face the Angels at home early next week.
Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Will skip start after poor outing
Rotowire
Walker (13-5) took the loss Saturday, allowing three runs on three hits and six walks over five innings against the Twins. He struck out two. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said he would skip Walker's next scheduled start to give him some extra rest, the Associated Press reports.
Walker has given up four or more runs in three of his last six starts with a 18:14 K:BB in 30.1 innings. "Control is off, command is off, velocity is down," Thomson said. "So I think it's time to just give him a little breather." The Phillies have off days Monday and Thursday and were already running a six-man rotation, so Walker's brief shutdown won't cause any ripples on the staff.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Allows four runs in win
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Walker (13-4) earned the win Sunday, allowing four runs on seven hits and a walk over seven innings in an 8-4 victory over the Royals. He struck out two.
It looked like it could be a short outing for Walker after he surrendered four runs in the first two innings. However, the 30-year-old Walker blanked the Royals over his next five innings, allowing just one more hit in that span, as he tied Justin Steele for the league lead with 13 wins. Walker now sports a 3.98 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP and 104:49 K:BB across 23 starts (126.2 innings) this season. He's currently lined up for a home matchup with the Twins in his next outing.
Walker (12-4) earned the win Monday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over 6.2 innings against the Marlins. He struck out four.
After allowing a two-run homer to Jorge Soler in the first inning, Walker rebounded to blank Miami over his next 5.2 frames to earn his 12th win. The 30-year-old Walker is now 8-1 over his last 10 starts, with a 2.45 ERA in that span. Overall, his ERA is down to 3.99 with a 1.27 WHIP and 102:48 K:BB across 22 starts (119.2 innings) this season. Walker's next outing is currently lined up as a home matchup with the Royals this weekend.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Allows two runs in no-decision
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Walker did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks over 5.2 innings against the Orioles. He struck out four.
It certainly could've been worse for Walker on Tuesday -- he held the Orioles to just two runs despite needing 104 pitches to make it through 5.2 innings. The 30-year-old right-hander has pitched to a 4.56 ERA over his last four outings after posting a pristine 0.84 mark in the previous five starts. Overall, Walker is 11-4 with a 4.06 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 98:46 K:BB through 21 starts (113 innings) this season. He's currently slated for a road matchup with the Marlins in his next outing.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Win streak snapped
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Walker (11-4) took the loss Thursday versus the Brewers after he gave up four runs on six hits and two walks across six innings. He struck out six.
The 30-year-old entered the contest with victories in seven straight starts and had a 1.84 ERA during that span, but Milwaukee tagged him for four runs while Corbin Burnes shut down the Philadelphia offense. Walker still pitched well for the most part, but Christian Yelich gave the Brewers all the offense they would need with a three-run homer in the third inning. The surging Orioles are likely up next for Walker, who has a 4.11 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 94:42 K:BB over 107.1 innings this season.
