Taijuan Walker turns in best start as a Phillie during shutout win over Tigers

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson raved about the bullpen session that Taijuan Walker had over the weekend in D.C. prior to the right-hander’s latest start Tuesday.

It was the type of answer you don’t put a ton of stock into before a game, especially when Walker had a 5.65 ERA entering the game.

But whatever Walker did in that bullpen session evidentially worked, as he turned in the best start he’s made in red pinstripes Tuesday evening against the Detroit Tigers.

Walker looked the part of a $72 million man in his 13th start of the season, pitching seven shutout innings and limiting the Tigers to just two hits. While the 30-year-old did walk three batters — an issue that has plagued him in 2023 — he also struck out eight batters on 91 pitches.

It’s a fairly remarkable turnaround for the righty, who lasted just four innings — while experiencing a velocity dip and looking especially uncomfortable — in a loss last Wednesday at Citi Field.

While Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and J.T. Realmuto each had balls die on the warning track, the wind — or perhaps smog from the Canadian wildfires — couldn’t stop Kyle Schwarber in the month of June. Schwarber led off the bottom of the first inning with a 374-foot home run, which proved to be all the offense the Phillies needed to secure their 29th win of the season:

Something something June Schwarber
pic.twitter.com/s0JYebbZb3

— Phillies Nation (@PhilliesNation) June 6, 2023

Zack Wheeler will get the ball for the Phillies in the series finale Wednesday evening, looking to rebound after a disappointing start in D.C. last Friday.

Shibe Vintage Sports Notes

• A year after Kyle Schwarber homered 12 times in the month of June, he already has three blasts in his favorite month. Some things don’t have to make sense.
• Tyler Alexander was the bulk pitcher for the Tigers Tuesday, allowing one hit and one run while striking out three across three innings.
• 36,664 was the attendance at Citizens Bank Park Tuesday evening, as the Phillies continue to draw strong crowds this season.

Ticket IQ Next Game

• Wednesday, June 7 vs. Tigers at Citizens Bank Park
• 6:05 p.m.
• TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
• Spanish Radio: WTTM 1680

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