Taijuan Walker and the Phillies cruised to a 6-1 victory in Oakland last night, moving to 36-34 on the season. 

Walker dazzled through eight innings of work, allowing just seven hits and one earned run while striking out eight.

Taijuan Walker

Over this last three starts, the Phillies finally have seen the picture they expected to see when they handed Walker a $75 million contract heading into this season. 

Taijuan Walker Last 3 Starts 

• 6/6 vs. Detroit: 7 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 8 Ks
• 6/11 vs. Dodgers: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 5 Ks
• 6/16 vs. Athletics: 8 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 8 Ks

Of course, it helps when you have a leadoff hitter like Kyle Schwarber who hit home run number six in the month of June on the first pitch of the ball game to give the Phillies an early 1-0 lead.

Kyle Schwarber First-Pitch Home Run

As if JT Realmuto couldn’t possibly get any hotter than he was against Arizona, the Best Catcher in Baseball in a solo home run in the top of the second inning to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead.

ON FIRE: JT REALMUTO SOLO HOME RUN

Over his last 7 Games, JT Realmuto now has 8 hits, three home runs, 7 RBI, two walks, and two stolen bases while scoring eight times. He’s batting .308 with a .885 SLG over that span, and has brought his batting average back up to .260 on the season with a .802 OPS. 

Alec Bohm added the third Phillies’ home run of the game in the top of the fourth inning on a two-run shot that scored Bryce Harper. Bohm has once again found his rhythm at the plate since taking a short trip to the Injured List.

Last night, he was 2-for-4 from the plate with a home run, 3 RBI, and a run scored. 

Alec Bohm 2-Run Home Run

The Phillies have now won 11-of-13 games to improve to 36-34 on the season. To put that into perspective, two weeks ago, they were six games under .500 at 26-32.

Still, there’s plenty of work to be done. The Phillies remain in third place in the National League East standings, eight games behind the Atlanta Braves in first. 

The Phillies will have a bullpen game today in Oakland. Cristopher Sanchez will start the game.

First Pitch at 4:07PM.

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