PHILADELPHIA Taijuan Walker tried to keep things in perspective after the game. "It's a long season, " Walker remarked. "Weve been saying it, and it holds true. We've played great baseball for a long time. These tough stretches are part of it. I have faith that well turn things around sooner rather than later."

Walker gave up two runs in the first inning, and those two runs would ultimately be enough for the Marlins, who handed the Phillies a 5-0 loss at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday night. The Phillies, now on a four-game losing streak, struggled to generate offense, recording just four hits and committing two errors. With this defeat, the team has fallen to a 4-7 record in August, following a 10-14 record in July.

Despite the recent struggles, the Phillies remain confident that it's not time to panic. Walkers calm approach was echoed throughout the clubhouse, with players expressing frustration but no sense of impending doom.

"We're not worried, " said Kyle Schwarber. "It's frustrating. We know who we are and the potential we have. But worry? Thats not the right word. Frustration is fine. It's a natural feeling when things aren't going our way."

However, some losses sting more than others. Walker made his first start since June 21 after dealing with right index finger inflammation, facing a Marlins team that looked vastly different from the squad the Phillies defeated in last year's NL Wild Card Series. The Phillies fell behind early and never posed a serious threat to recover.

"The key is getting back to believing in who we are as a team, " Schwarber said. "Sometimes when you're struggling, you look for answers elsewhere, but the truth is, the solution is already in front of you. You need to believe in yourself and your teammates."

Valente Bellozo, who had yet to make his MLB debut the last time Walker pitched, was exceptional, throwing seven scoreless innings and keeping the Phillies' batters off balance. The Phillies did have a few near hits, with Bryson Stott driving two balls to the warning track, but otherwise https://www.philliesplayerfanstore.com/jose_ruiz_jersey-259, they struggled to get anything going offensively.

"If you watch the game and look at how things played out, you can still smile at the frustration, " Schwarber said. "He was executing well, keeping the balls off barrels or right at people. It happens."

Walker wasnt without fault in the early innings. He walked two of the first three batters, and both came around to score. After a 34-pitch first inning where he threw more balls than strikes, the Phillies found themselves down 2-0.

The second inning, however, was a different story. Walker retired the side in order, throwing seven straight strikes, including a three-pitch strikeout to Derek Hill, finishing him off with a sinker.

Walker acknowledged the two early walks were mistakes but felt good about his performance overall. His velocity was up, and he relied heavily on his splitter. In total, he allowed four hits, three walks, and struck out five over four innings. The bullpen then took over, allowing two runs over five innings of work.

At the plate, the top five hitters in the lineup combined for just one hit, a single by Bryce Harper in the first inning. Schwarber, who had led off, extended his hitless streak to four games.

"At the end of the day, its on us https://www.philliesplayerfanstore.com/t_shirts-34, " Schwarber said. "We need to really dig in and tighten things up. The game can humble you, but well bounce back."

Manager Rob Thomson shared the optimism, reiterating that this rough patch would eventually pass. "Weve been through tough stretches before, " Thomson said. "If you look at our track record, these guys are resilient, tough, and they care. I know were going to turn it around."

Thomson added that he wasnt considering lineup changes just yet, echoing Walkers sentiments that this was a temporary "funk." Schwarber also reinforced the belief in the team's long-term potential. "We have one of the most talented groups I've ever been a part of, " Schwarber said. "We've built a really strong team and a great group of guys. Yes, theres frustration, but I promise well be better for it in the end."



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