Jun 18, 2022; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (99) looks out after leaving the game during the seventh inning agsainst the Miami Marlins at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

After dropping their third consecutive game to the Houston Astros on Tuesday night, the Mets looked to salvage a game from the four-game season series on Wednesday afternoon. Taijuan Walker took the mound for the Mets against future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander in one of the best pitching duels of the season. In the end, it was a home run by Jason Castro with two outs in the ninth that broke the scoreless tie and gave the Astros a 2-0 win

Walker made quick work of the Astros in the first inning. Jose Altuve hit a rocket line drive into left field on the first pitch of the game, but Ender Inciarte made a nice running catch to rob his fellow Venezuelan of an extra-base hit. After striking out Jeremy Pena, Walker did the near impossible by retiring Yordan Alvarez to retire the side in order.

Brandon Nimmo put the pressure on Verlander quickly when he hit the first pitch of the bottom of the first inning for a double to left-center. Despite a walk to Pete Alonso and a long at-bat from Jeff McNeil, the Mets were unable to capitalize against the Astro’s ace.

Neither team had another scoring chance until the top of the fourth inning. Alvarez led off the inning with a walk, and Alex Bregman followed with a single top put two on with nobody out. Walker was able to escape the jam by striking out Kyle Tucker on three splitters before getting Yuli Gurriel to hit into an inning ending double play.

The Mets had an eventful fifth inning despite not scoring a run. Dominic Smith worked a 12-pitch at-bat that saw him foul off eight pitches before grounding out to short. Inciarte followed with a check swing roller up the third base line for an infield single, his first hit as a Met and the Mets’ first baserunner since Alonso’s first inning walk.

In the seventh, Walker found himself in trouble after a walk to Tucker and a single from Aledmys Diaz put runners on the corners with two outs. Jason Castro came up for Houston and hit a soft line drive over Smith at first base, but McNeil was there to make the play and keep the game scoreless.

After Walker retired Jake Meyers for the first out of the eighth inning, Buck Showalter turned to Edwin Diaz  to face the top of the Astros’ lineup. Things did not go as planned for Díaz to start the inning. He hit Altuve and gave up a single to Peña to bring up Alvarez with two on and one out. With a 1-1 count on Alvarez, Díaz threw back-to-back back-foot sliders to strike out Alvarez, then threw five straight sliders to strike out Bregman and get out of the inning.

In the top of the ninth, Smith hit a pop up into shallow left to start the inning that caused Alvarez and Peña to collide as Peña made the catch. Both players ended up coming out of the game. After the long injury delay, Verlander retired Inciarte and Tomás Nido to complete a scoreless eighth inning.

Drew Smith entered in the top of the ninth, and was greeted by a first pitch base hit from Kyle Tucker. Castro, who entered the day batting .095 with one RBI and just two extra-base hits, hit his first home run of the season with two outs in the inning to put Houston ahead 2-0.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Astros sent closer Ryan Pressly to face the top of the Mets’ lineup. He retired the side to close out season series sweep for Houston.

Player of the Game: Taijuan Walker

Facing one of the top pitchers in baseball this year, Taijuan Walker was up to the task. He went 7 1/3 shutout innings and allowed just four hits and two walks while striking out three. The Astros lineup has consistently been one of baseball’s best over the past five years, and they have been especially hot against both the Mets and the Yankees over the past week. While it may not be statistically the best, this start against that team may be one of Walker’s most impressive starts in a Mets’ uniform.

On Deck

The Mets will begin a three-game series with the Texas Rangers at 7:10 p.m. ET Friday night at Citi Field. Chris Bassitt (6-5, 4.01 ERA) will take the mound for the Mets coming off a quality seven inning outing in Miami. Bassitt has had quality starts in his last three outings and in five of his last six. The Rangers will start rookie Glenn Otto (4-3, 5.31 ERA) for his tenth start of the season. He was acquired by the Rangers last July in the trade that sent Joey Gallo and Joely Rodriguez to the Yankees.

The game will be broadcast on Apple TV+, and the radio call will be on WCBS 880.