Phillies waste solid Walker start, get shut out in loss to Nationals

Despite a solid effort on the mound from Taijuan Walker, the Phillies could not support their starter.

Led by a three-hit performance from the hot-hitting Trea Turner, the Phillies tallied eight hits but failed to score a run against right-hander Cade Cavalli and the Nationals. Washington’s starting pitcher threw seven scoreless innings to record his first career win in a 2-0 Philadelphia loss on Saturday at Nationals Park.

The Phillies (70-53) had two runners thrown out at third base in the early innings as Turner was picked off while trying to steal by Cavalli in the top of the first inning and Brandon Marsh was tagged out on a fielder’s choice in the second.

Walker was effective for the Phillies once again, going 6 2/3 innings and allowing two runs. He scattered six hits and walked two batters while striking out three. After a disaster 2024 season, the right-hander now has a 3.34 ERA in 91 2/3 innings.

Walker did not allow a run until the fifth inning, in which he nearly escaped with an inning ending-double play off the bat of Brady House. Instead, the ball squeaked past shortstop Trea Turner and into center field for a base hit. Two batters later, James Wood hit a two-run double into right field to put the Nationals on top.

Left-hander Jose A. Ferrer secured a six-out save for the Nationals. The Phillies will look to settle for a split in this four-game series in the finale in Washington on Sunday morning.