Phillies

Rob Thomson “Really Happy” for Taijuan Walker After Six Shutout Innings

By Luke Arcaini

Published: Apr 3rd, 2025 · 5:05 PM EDT

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Did you have Taijuan Walker going six shutout innings on your bingo card?

Most fans at Citizens Bank Park didn’t. Walker was met with a healthy mix of cheers and boos as he walked out to the mound in the first inning on Thursday afternoon. He quieted the boos very fast.

Walker finished his 2025 debut with six innings of 3-hit ball, walking just one batter and striking out four. He threw 74 pitches, 47 strikes, and was fired up after his final strikeout of the day, retiring Hunter Goodman in the 6th.

It’s been a rough last 12 months for Walker. He dealt with an injury to begin last season, then suffered the worst year of his career, tallying a 7.10 ERA in 15 starts (19 appearances). It’s not easy to come back from that. But Thursday was a huge step in the right direction for Walker, and Rob Thomson was extremely happy for him following his outing.

“I’m really happy for him,” the manager said after the 3-1 win. “Proud of him for the work he’s done in the offseason and this guy is, as I said prior to the game, he’s a great teammate. He’s always on the top step when he’s not pitching. Always cheering on his team. Always there and he always competes. Just so happy for him.”

Thomson talked about how much of an athlete Walker is, and even through a tough 2024 season, he’s still a veteran, showing up every day, cheering on the team. Walker said after the game that his Mom was in the stands and she crying tears of joy watching him dominate the Rockies:

Taijuan Walker’s mother was at today’s #Phillies game. Taijuan says the standing O for him made her emotional, as did boos he previously received before today.

Taijuan talked about today’s outing and bouncing back from the boos.@KYWNewsradio pic.twitter.com/nq3uBEOdEw

— Dave Uram (@MrUram) April 3, 2025

The Phillies, backed by their pitching and a mammoth Schwarbomb, get the sweep of Colorado. Next up? The 8-0 Dodgers for a 3-game weekend set at Citizens Bank Park.