Phillies sweep Rockies behind solid first start from Taijuan Walker

Taijuan Walker fired his last pitch of the day, an 84.7 mph slider that dipped away from the right-handed hitting Hunter Goodman, for a swinging strike three. He pumped his fist, then slowly walked off the mound. Brandon Marsh applauded him on his way back to the dugout. Manager Rob Thomson gave him a hug. His teammates lined up to congratulate him.

It must have felt good. After getting booed off the field in his last spring training start and booed during the team introductions at the home opener, a few fans stood and applauded Walker’s six shutout inning performance against the Colorado Rockies. He was the winning pitcher in the Phillies’ 3-1 victory. It’s the first time the Phillies have…