Taijuan Walker Impresses in Relief, Shows Increased Velocity for Phillies

Taijuan Walker entered the game in the sixth inning, replacing Walker Buehler, as part of manager Rob Thomson's planned piggyback strategy. Despite allowing the first two hitters to reach base, Walker quickly shut down the Miami Marlins' threat with a fly ball and two strikeouts, then retired them again in the seventh. Manager Rob Thomson noted Walker's velocity was up, touching 94 mph, and his split-finger fastball was effective, leading to three encouraging strikeouts and missing bats for the Philadelphia Phillies.