Taijuan Walker struggles again in loss to Astros

PHILADELPHIA – It’s safe to say no one expected anything different from Taijuan Walker.

It’s safe to say that no one expected the Phillies to almost get no-hit by Spencer Arrighetti. 

The Phillies lost 10-0 to the Astros in the finale of their three-game series. Walker was shelled for 13 hits and six runs.

Arrighetti took a no-hitter into the eighth inning. Austin Hays broke it up with an infield single that probably should have been fielded by third baseman Shay Whitcomb. The Phillies ended up with three hits. Arrighetti struck out 11 batters.

And to top it all off, Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez hit three home runs. 

Yep, it was as ugly as it sounds. 

Walker (3-6) likely started his last game this season for the Phillies. It’s possible he will never start for them again. 

The Phillies were already debating whether Walker was a sunk cost or not before getting one last shot against Houston. But then it all came crashing down on him in the fourth inning when he allowed five runs on six hits. 

Walker became the first Phillies pitcher to allow 13 hits in a game since Aaron Harang in the dark year of 2015. He is the first to allow 13 hits without recording a strikeout since 1948 (Blix Donnelly). 

He threw 93 pitches over six innings. He got the Astros to swing-and-miss at just two of them. 

“I feel like I’ve never really struggled like this,” Walker said. “So, it’s a little tough right now. I feel good about myself. I feel confident in myself. Obviously, I want to keep going and keep working through it.”

He may not be given that opportunity. 

 It’s a tough call for the Phillies who still owe Walker $36 million for the next two seasons, plus however much is left on his $18 million contract this season. The Phillies have never walked away from a player still owed that much money. 

And the other feeling is that the guy is doing everything the team has asked. He has been open to mechanical changes to try and get more velocity on his sinker and get more bite on his splitter. 

It just hasn’t worked for a guy who is well-liked and well-respected in the clubhouse.

"I feel bad for him," Thomson said. "I really do, because I think all of you know how much I respect and love the players, and he works extremely hard. He (took) that time on the I.L. to try different things - to gain velocity. To gain action on the splitter. There's no lack of effort there. So, when guys give effort and it doesn't work out and you don't see results, it hurts. It hurts me and it obviously hurts him too."

The Phillies have some options with that spot in the rotation. If they want, because of the off day coming on Labor Day, they can skip that spot in the rotation and not have it filled until it’s needed again on Sept. 7 in Miami. 

The Phillies get to add a pitcher when rosters expand on Sunday, so they could add another starter. Either recent waiver claim Kyle Tyler, who was plucked from the Marlins, or Tyler Phillips can be recalled. 

However, the Phillies may choose to keep giving the big four starters an extra day of rest between starts in September and have Walker’s spot in the rotation come up as soon as September 3 in Toronto. 

ON DECK

The Phillies begin an absolutely crucial, four-game series with the Atlanta Braves on Thursday. One of the reasons Thomson kept Walker in the game for six innings despite being lit up like a Christmas tree was his desire to have his bullpen as rested as possible for the series. 

Thomson is hoping, though, that his other starting pitchers besides Walker, continue to pitch well, as they have the past couple of weeks. 

First up on Thursday the Phillies will turn to LHP Cristopher Sanchez (9-9, 3.51) to square off against Atlanta’s crafty veteran, and one-time Phillie, RHP Charlie Morton (7-7, 4.24).