Neil Walker has homered in back-to-back games and has four homers in his last eight games. It’s the fifth time this year Walker has homered in consecutive games, the most times he’s done so in a single season during his career. Walker has never hit a home run in three straight games.
Walker’s 22 home runs are the second-most he’s hit in his career. He had a career-high 23 homers in 2013 and he’ll obviously blow past that mark this season. His 22 long balls are the third-most by a Mets second baseman in franchise history. Only Edgardo Alfonzo who hit 27 homers in 1999 and 25 home runs in 2000 has more.
A free agent at season’s end, Walker is batting an NL-leading .455 (35-77) with two doubles, one triple, six home runs, 14 RBI and 14 runs scored in his last 19 games dating to July 27. He also has a .488 OBP during that stretch which is fourth in the majors.
Walker’s wife Nikki, is expecting the couple’s first child, a baby girl that is due today. “I will pretty much have my phone on me everywhere except second base,” Walker said Monday at Chase Field. Once he gets that call, he’ll be able to take up to three days of Paternity Leave.
Original Report – Aug 14
Whether it be during a game, after a game or in the clubhouse, Neil Walker has proven to fill the void that David Wright has left. Walker has taken over leadership of this team.
Whether the Mets win or lose, there is Walker, ready to take your questions. He has become the stand up guy this organization has needed from a player not named Wright this season. The Mets second-baseman has also led by example in the field with his hustle, passion and gameplay. He was at it yet again during Saturday’s 3-2 thrilling extra-innings win over San Diego to snap a losing streak that has almost sunk their season.
Walker was in the middle of the games biggest moments. He was 2-for-5 on the day with an RBI and a run scored. That same run would be the difference maker in catapulting the Mets to victory. A crazy dash to the plate on a Wilmer Flores ball hit that seemed as though it may be an inning ending double play. Ryan Schimpf though attempted to throw out Walker who dashed for home for the win but the ball sailed over the backstop, allowing the winning run.
“I guess we caught a little bit of a break there. So hopefully it will be a bit of a catapult for us,” Walker said.
After each hit he got Saturday, Walker could be seen clapping and looking into his dugout. attempting to pump up his teammates to get it going. He is the current leader of this team, another reason the front office needs to re-sign the man who has been the voice of this club throughout the year. His statements exemplify the type of player and teammate he is.
“We battled hard yesterday, we battled hard today,” Walker said. “Like we were saying [on Friday], this game is not easy right now. We’re grinding away. This is what character is all about.”
Character being the key word in that statement. Walker has great character and it does not hurt that he is on a tear as of late. He Is batting .456 (31-68) with two doubles, one triple, four home runs, 12 RBI and 10 runs scored in his last 17 games dating to July 27. Walker is leading this team by example.
One can only hope that Saturday’s win propels this team to more victories as the Wild Card spot hangs within reach, only 2.5 games from their grasp. The first step for this team is winning today, which would give the Mets back-to-back wins for the first time since July 6-7.
