The last time Taijuan Walker pitched a game that mattered for the Phillies, it ended with a seat in the bullpen. The next time? Thursday afternoon. And this one ended with a standing ovation.
Making his first start of the season — and his first since being bounced from the rotation last October — Walker delivered six scoreless innings, Kyle Schwarber launched yet another Schwarbomb, and the Phillies polished off a three-game sweep of the Rockies with a 3-1 win at Citizens Bank Park.
Walker, filling in for the injured Ranger Suárez, allowed just three hits and struck out four. He looked nothing like the pitcher who watched last year’s postseason run from a distance. And when he froze Hunter Goodman with a 93-mph fastball to end the sixth, he walked off the mound to something that felt foreign at times in this town: applause.
Yes, the same fans who booed him during pregame introductions were now on their feet. Welcome to Philadelphia.
Bryce Harper opened the scoring with an RBI double off Antonio Senzatela in the third, one of 10 hits the Rockies right-hander surrendered. Oddly, it was the only run he allowed in his 5 1/3 innings of work.
Schwarber then added insurance in the seventh with a no-doubt solo shot into the seats in right off Luis Peralta — his fourth homer in his last six games. It marked the 25th time in a Phillies uniform that Schwarber has homered to lead off an inning.
J.T. Realmuto had three hits, a walk, and scored in the eighth on a wild pitch from Tyler Kinley — a sequence that began with a single and felt like a Phillies version of small ball, circa 2024.
The Rockies made things interesting in the ninth. Evan Bouchard delivered a pinch-hit RBI single to slice the lead to 3-1. But with the bases loaded and one out, José Alvarado dialed it up. A strikeout. A groundout. Game over. First save of the season.
The Phillies are now 6-1 at home and winners of four straight. And for at least one afternoon, Taijuan Walker was back where he wanted to be — on the mound, in control, and walking off to a cheer he hadn’t heard in a while.
More Than a Win
Let’s be honest — life in Philadelphia hasn’t exactly been a smooth ride for Taijuan Walker. Over three seasons and 51 appearances, he’s lugged around a 5.15 ERA and a WHIP that could flag down traffic (1.43). He’s been a postseason spectator two years running. And the only reason he found himself on a mound Thursday afternoon was because Ranger Suárez woke up with a sore back. But then — cue the baseball gods — there was his mom, sitting in the stands at Citizens Bank Park (as noted by MLB.com's Todd Zolecki). So what does Walker do? He spins six scoreless innings, walks off to a standing ovation, and gives Philadelphia something it hasn’t seen from him in a while: a reason to cheer. Given the noise that’s swirled around him, that’s a pretty cool thing to have happen — especially with mom watching.
Quotable
“Obviously you don’t want to hear [boos] constantly, but it’s part of the game. It’s tough to play here, but when you’re pitching well, when you’re doing well and you’re winning, it’s the best fans to have.” - Taijuan Walker, per Scott Lauber on Philly.com. Phillies WPA (win probability added)
Walker's solid outing earned him 0.36 WPA. The next best performance belonged to Realmuto with his three hits, a much needed performance as he entered the day riding a cold streak at the plate. Max Kepler and Brandon Marsh both finished the afternoon with -0.14 WPA.
Up Next
The Phillies welcome the Dodgers to Philadelphia for a three-game set that will open Friday. The Dodgers are undefeated with an 8-0 mark, having just swept the Braves earlier this week. Jesus Luzardo will start the series opener on Friday for the Phillies. The Dodgers will counter with righty Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
