In a tough outing against the Orioles on Wednesday night, Taijuan Walker struggled on the mound, yielding seven runs in a 13-4 loss.
Right from the start, Walker faced adversity, laboring through 62 pitches, with 31 of them expended in a challenging first inning where he managed to secure just two outs. Despite hopes for a turnaround, Walker's night was marred further by Anthony Santander's three-run homer off his splitter before he temporarily exited the game and later reentered in the second inning.
However, amidst the disappointing performance, there were some positive takeaways. Walker reassured that his previously sore right knee didn't hinder him during the game, a significant relief considering his earlier setbacks in spring training. Additionally, there was a glimmer of optimism as Walker noted a slight uptick in his fastball velocity, ranging from 90-92 mph, compared to his previous start where it hovered between 88-90 mph.
Looking ahead, Walker has one more opportunity to fine-tune his game before the regular season commences. He is slated to take the mound against the Tampa Bay Rays in the Phillies' Grapefruit League finale on Monday, followed by a crucial start against the Cincinnati Reds on April 1st.
In other news, Brandon Marsh showcased his readiness for the upcoming season by demonstrating his agility and hitting prowess. Despite undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery on February 9th, Marsh impressed by legging out an RBI triple and delivering a single against Orioles' pitcher Dean Kremer. His performance signals positive progress towards his anticipated return.
Meanwhile, Craig Kimbrel, now assuming the role of the Orioles' closer, exhibited dominance on the mound, striking out Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, and Bryson Stott in a single inning.
As the Phillies (8-12-6) prepare to regroup, they are set to face the Rays at Clearwater, with Cristopher Sánchez scheduled to start. The game is slated for 1:05 p.m. on Thursday.
