Fans React as Taijuan Walker Terrorizes the Phillies Yet Again

Philly Sports and Culture Writer

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Sep 19, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (99) pitches in the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Taijuan Walker returned to the Phillies' rotation on Thursday. He, uh... did not pitch his best.

Walker's line: 3.1 IP, 6 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 4 HR, 71 pitches (42 strikes).

Phillies fans had some thoughts on Walker's performance:

Four batters into his return to the rotation, Taijuan Walker has surrendered two home runs.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) September 19, 2024

Phillies: *tie it up*

Taijuan Walker: **immediately gives up 2 run HR** pic.twitter.com/pgtWZoMgMH
— Brooklyn (@Brookie425) September 20, 2024

Me watching Taijuan Walker still in this game pic.twitter.com/MqkHQXq0Zs

— Karlie Crispin Jewitt (@karcrisp4) September 20, 2024

"I know a shut down inning hate to see me coming." -Taijuan Walker
— Absolutely Hammered (@ah_pod) September 20, 2024

Phillies fans cleaning out Taijuan Walker’s locker after the game #Phillies pic.twitter.com/3eYKewWlqT
— iregretlikingsports (@Jimmy2424555) September 20, 2024

Shockingly, the decision to put Taijuan Walker back into the rotation has not worked out
— Josh (@_Philly_Talk) September 19, 2024

Taijuan Walker is the 15th pitcher to give up 23 or more home runs in no more than 90 innings. He is the only Phillies pitcher to do that
— Baseball Paul (@paul_boye) September 20, 2024

Watching Taijuan Walker pitch every 5th day pic.twitter.com/hMQszCMKtm
— Justin Lever ❤️⚾️ (@JustinLever3) September 20, 2024

Highest ERA for the Phillies since 2010 (min 10 starts):

2015- David Buchanan, 15 GS 6.99 ERA
2024- Taijuan Walker, 15 GS 6.91 ERA
2013- Roy Halladay, 13 GS 6.82 ERA
2017- Zach Eflin, 11 GS, 6.16 ERA
2016- Adam Morgan, 21 GS, 6.16 ERA pic.twitter.com/cj8BWr2SEY
— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) September 20, 2024

There are bad contracts and there is signing Taijuan Walker for $72,000,000.
— Life of a Philly Fan (@PhillyFanLife) September 20, 2024

Taijuan Walker pic.twitter.com/wkVNooTL2V
— Steve Silver (@SteveTSRA) September 20, 2024

Watching Taijuan Walker pitch in a big spot. pic.twitter.com/TvnMDtZ4hn
— CogginToboggan (@CogginToboggan) August 24, 2024

author

John Foley

Before joining OnPattison.com, John Foley was a Phillies beat writer for PHLY Sports and the founder of a popular independent Phillies newsletter. He has provided nontraditional local sports coverage since 2013. Foley grew up in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. He's a proud product of the Philadelphia public school system, a Penn State grad, and a Georgetown Law alum. A licensed attorney, he sits on the board of the Papermill Food Hub, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping families in need throughout the city. Find him on your favorite social media: @2008philz.