Phillies’ Bryce Harper miffed by losing streak; Taijuan Walker cut
CHICAGO — Bryce Harper is as miffed as anybody concerning the Philadelphia Phillies‘losing streak, saying “we got to get through it.”
The Phillies had been outscored 27-14 by the Chicago Cubs throughout a four-game sweep as their skid reached 9 video games following an 8-7 loss in 10 innings on Thursday.
“I can’t remember anything like this in my career,” Harper mentioned Thursday morning. “We got to get through it. Obviously, we don’t want to be where we are right now. I think you could probably tell me better if we have been through this, or other teams that I’ve played with have been through this, but I know teams that have been through this and been through the mud a little bit and still climbed out of it. Yeah, we got to do it.”
The Phillies additionally launched veteran right-hander Taijuan Walker On Thursday, at some point after he gave up 4 earned runs in 4 innings towards the Cubs. His 9.13 ERA sealed his destiny as he was within the remaining yr of a four-year, $72 million deal.
“Just all performance-based,” supervisor Rob Thomson mentioned of Walker’s launch. “This guy always took the ball, never refused it, always answered the questions after the game, took down some innings for us when our bullpen was short. This guy’s a pro, and I’m going to miss him, to tell you the truth.”
Added Harper: “He’s definitely one of the best guys that I’ve ever been around in the game, just teammate-wise. So it’s always tough seeing guys lose their job and get sent home.”
Thomson did not see the transfer as a wake-up name to his veteran locker room, saying “I think they know that already” because it pertains to the scenario the staff is dealing with. The clubhouse vibe appeared regular Thursday morning because the staff ready for its recreation towards the Cubs.
Philadelphia, which received the National League East by 13 video games final season, is already 9½ video games behind the Atlanta Braves this yr.
Harper was requested if the staff must shortly flip the web page on any destructive ideas after the discharge of a well-liked participant mixed with the longest present losing streak within the majors.
“I think people should feel what it feels like,” Harper mentioned. “Obviously, you don’t want to just sit here and just say, ‘Oh, hey, let’s turn the page immediately.’ You got to know what it feels like and get through it. You got to get through the mud sometimes and weather the storm a little bit.”
The Phillies recalled pitcher Nolan Hoffman from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday whereas optioning right-hander Alan Rangel. The staff didn’t name up a substitute for Walker but.