Taijuan Walker Is Awful Again, But The Rest Of The Phillies Give Embarrassing Effort In Loss

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Taijuan Walker has been brutal this season and he wasn’t much better last year.

Walker has been the subject of many complaints by the fans and the local media.

Walker struggled again yesterday in the Phillies 10-0 loss to the Houston Astros. He pitched six innings giving up six earned runs on 13 hits without striking out a single batter.

The Phillies cannot give the struggling Walker another start. He just doesn’t have it mentally or physically.

What was also disturbing and frustrating, was the effort or lack of by the rest of the Phillies yesterday.

Phillies hitters were completely embarrassed by Astros rookie starter Spencer Arrighetti.

Through 7 innings, Arrighetti held the Phillies lineup without a hit while striking out 11. This is totally unacceptable from a team with this many good hitters.

Arrighetti entered yesterday’s game with a 4.94 ERA and a 6-11 record on the season. The Phillies made him look like the second coming of Nolan Ryan.

The Phillies had a chance to sweep the Astros and extend their winning streak. This would have been big for a team that has struggled since June.

Everyone will focus on Walker’s performance and gloss over the terrible effort by the Phillies batters. This team strikes out way too much. They have way too many bad at bats.

Walker is a bad pitcher and should not take the mound for the Phillies the rest of the season, but these hitters need to be held more accountable.

Also, the lack of focus in the field was on full display again yesterday. I want to see a deep October run by the Phillies, but this team just seems off. I hope that I’m wrong.

Phillies pitcher Taijuan Walker. Photo courtesy of si.com