Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

Taijuan Walker struggled on Sunday afternoon against the Washington Nationals but still managed to turn in a decent outing. While the right-hander — who has looked impressive most of the season — didn’t appear to have his strongest stuff on Sunday, he kept the Mets in the game before handing it over to the bullpen in the seventh inning.

He gave up four runs (all earned) on 10 hits, which included two home runs (both to Kyle Schwarber) over the course of 6 1/3 innings pitched. Walker struck out five and did not walk any batters. He threw 85 pitches (65 for strikes), forced nine groundouts, and two flyouts in New York’s 5-2 loss at Nationals Park.

Schwarber was just getting started with those two homers off Walker, as he added a third one after the righty exited the contest. Walker spoke on Schwarber’s historic day and broke down the home runs he gave up to the left-handed batter.

“I think he’s locked in right now,” stated Walker on Schwarber. “He was just hitting every fastball we threw at him.” Walker stated he threw a two-seamer up and in out of the zone and Schwarber was able to get a hold of it. The first-inning home run was a fastball that ran over the plate with Walker behind in the count. “He’s just locked in right now and sometimes you just have to tip your cap,” said the right-hander. “Those things happen, it’s baseball.”

Luis Rojas spoke on his hurler’s outing Sunday afternoon, saying he battled. “This is a tough lineup. He gave up those runs, but I thought his stuff was there,” stated the skipper.

Even with this uneven start, Walker’s ERA is currently sitting at 2.42. According to our own Mathew Brownstein, it still puts him in good company after his first 13 starts with the club.

 

Walker’s total body of work has been incredible for the Mets. Over the course of 74 1/3 innings pitched, he owns that 2.42 ERA to go along with a 1.05 WHIP, 77 strikeouts, and a 6-3 record.