Walker didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Marlins, giving up two runs on two hits and three walks over 7.1 innings. He struck out five.
He took a shutout into the eighth inning, but after Lewin Diaz led off the frame with a double and Walker then issued a one-out walk to Eddy Alvarez, the right-hander got the hook after 90 pitches (57 strikes) and had to watch as Seth Lugo let both inherited runners score plus one more, costing Walker his eighth win. He struggled throughout the second half of the season but was able to deliver a strong performance in his final start. Walker wraps up the 2021 campaign with a 4.47 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 146:55 K:BB through 159 innings.
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Mets' Taijuan Walker: Knocked out early
Rotowire
Walker (7-11) allowed six runs on six hits and two walks with one strikeout over two innings, taking the loss in Wednesday's 12-5 defeat to the Red Sox.
This was another disastrous outing for Walker, as the right-hander labored through two innings of painful baseball. Kyle Schwarber threw a jab in the first inning with a solo homer, then landed the knockout punch in the second with a three-run round-tripper. Walker has now allowed nine home runs in his last five starts and has pitched to an 8.10 ERA over that same span. With a contract that could feasibly see the 29-year-old remain in Queens for two more seasons, the Mets better hope that the one-time All-Star figures things out.
Walker allowed five earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out eight across six innings in the loss to the Yankees on Saturday. He did not factor into the decision.
Walker surrendered three home runs, all in the second inning. All five runs he allowed came in that inning via home runs. He has struggled recently, posting a 6.85 ERA in 22.1 innings over his last four starts. His next start is scheduled for Friday against the Phillies.
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Mets' Taijuan Walker: Struggles in no-decision
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Walker allowed six runs on six hits and three walks with six strikeouts in 4.1 innings in a no-decision versus Washington on Sunday.
The Mets gave Walker a four-run lead before he ever got to the mound, but he allowed a solo home run to Lane Thomas and a two-run shot to Josh Bell in the bottom of the first. The right-hander then allowed three more runs before Jeurys Familia relieved him to finish the fifth inning. Walker owns a 4.15 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 129:49 K:BB through 138.2 innings this season, but he's gone 0-6 with four no-decisions in his last 10 starts. He's in line for a home start in the Subway Series versus the Yankees next weekend.
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Mets' Taijuan Walker: Set to appear in suspended game
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The Mets are expected to deploy Walker as their "starting pitcher" Tuesday in the resumption of their suspended game against the Marlins from April 11, Field Level Media reports.
Marcus Stroman will be credited as the starter for the game, which was suspended with one out and a runner on first base in the top of the first inning. Since Stroman last pitched Saturday and won't be asked to pitch on two days' rest, Walker will stay on turn in the rotation and should be in line for a relatively normal outing, despite technically entering the game as a reliever. Meanwhile, Trevor Williams will be called on to make a spot start later Tuesday, when the Mets and Marlins play their normally scheduled game, which will be seven innings. Walker will presumably be in store for a normal start the next time his turn in the rotation comes up Sunday in Washington.
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Mets' Taijuan Walker: Stuck with loss in quality start
Rotowire
Walker (7-9) took the loss Wednesday, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and a walk over six-plus innings as the Mets fell 3-2 to the Giants. He struck out three.
The right-hander was nursing a 2-1 lead heading into the seventh inning, but Kris Bryant reached on a Jonathan Villar error to open the frame followed by an Alex Dickerson single. Walker then got the hook after 74 pitches (44 strikes) and had to watch as Aaron Loup served up a game-winning double to Brandon Crawford. Walker hasn't won a game since July 3, but not for lack of trying as he has three quality starts in his last four outings. On the season, he carries a 3.82 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 117:46 K:BB through 129.2 innings.
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Mets' Taijuan Walker: Takes loss against Dodgers
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Walker (7-8) took the loss in Thursday's 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Dodgers, allowing four runs on six hits and one walk with four strikeouts in six innings.
Walker kept the Dodgers in the park but was tagged for two runs in both the second and fifth innings, and the Mets offense failed to provide any worthwhile run support. The veteran righty has a covered at least six frames in each of his past three starts and has a 3.86 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB over 18.2 innings during that stretch. He tentatively lines up for another tough matchup with the Giants next week.
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Mets' Taijuan Walker: Flirts with no-hitter
Rotowire
Walker allowed one run on two hits and three walks with eight strikeouts through 6.2 innings, taking a no-decision in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Dodgers.
Walker entered Saturday with a NL-worst 6.70 ERA in his last nine starts and 10 home runs allowed in his last four appearances. So, naturally, he took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Dodgers and racked up the most strikeouts he's recorded since June 15. Ultimately, the 29-year-old fell victim to the long ball yet again when Will Smith ended Walker's bid for history with a solo homer that broke up the no-no and the shutout. The right-hander would allow another hit in the form of a Corey Seager double and a walk before manager Luis Rojas emerged from the dugout to take the ball. While his outing did come to an unsavory end, Walker proved that the pitcher who was named an All-Star for the first time this season is still in there somewhere. He'll aim to build on this outing next week.
Walker (7-7) was tagged with the loss Sunday against Philadelphia after allowing three runs on four hits and a walk across six innings. He struck out one.
Walker's issues with the long ball continue, as he has given up at least two homers in four straight outings and three in two of those contests. The right-hander has lost in four straight appearances as well, posting a 7.84 ERA during that span.
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Mets' Taijuan Walker: Struggles continue Tuesday
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Walker (7-6) took the loss Tuesday, giving up four runs on eight hits and two walks over 5.2 innings as the Mets were downed 5-4 by the Marlins. He struck out four.
Heading into the All-Star break, Walker held a sparkling 2.50 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. Since then he's been in a tailspin, getting tagged for at least four runs in four straight starts and serving up multiple homers in three straight, including shots by Alex Jackson and Isan Diaz (combined four homers in the majors this year) on Tuesday. Walker's ERA now stands at 3.86, but the Mets' lack of rotation depth due to injuries will force the club to keep trotting him out to the mound every five days or so, hoping he can turn things around.
Walker (7-5) allowed five earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out seven across five innings to take the loss Thursday against Atlanta.
Walker held Atlanta scoreless through three innings. However, he fell apart late in the outing, highlighted by a pair of home runs in the fourth frame. Since maintaining a 2.50 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across his first 16 starts this season, Walker has allowed 16 earned runs across his last three outings -- spanning 9.1 innings. That's inflated his ERA to 3.71 on the campaign.
The Mets list Walker (shoulder) as their probable starter for Thursday's series finale with Atlanta at Citi Field, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Walker experienced a pinch in his left shoulder during his start against the Blue Jays over the weekend, when he was tagged for a season-high six earned runs over four frames. The southpaw has now churned out two duds in a row to open the second half, but the Mets apparently aren't worried about his poor form of late or the shoulder issue, which could explain his recent struggles. Assuming his between-starts bullpen session goes as expected, Walker will be good to go on normal rest Thursday and shouldn't face any restrictions.
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Mets' Taijuan Walker: Dealing with minor issue
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Walker felt a pinch in his left shoulder during a swing in Saturday's loss to the Blue Jays, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Walker struggled for the second consecutive start, as he allowed six earned runs on eight hits and two walks across four innings to take the loss. However, the bigger problem could be the injury he picked up during the outing. After the game, Walker downplayed the issue and would not tell reporters the nature of the injury. However, manager Luis Rojas disclosed the shoulder pain. At this point, there seems to be minimal concern from both the player and team, meaning Walker should still be able to make his next turn through the rotation if no further information emerges.
Walker allowed six runs (five earned) on four hits and four walks while retiring just one batter in Sunday's game versus Pittsburgh. He did not factor in the decision.
It was arguably the worst outing of the year for the right-hander, but he was able to avoid taking the loss as the Mets rallied to win the game. Walker's ERA ballooned from 2.50 to 2.99 after the abbreviated start, and he has a 1.12 WHIP and 89:34 K:BB through 90.1 innings this season. The 28-year-old lines up to start next weekend versus Toronto after throwing just 35 pitches (17 strikes) Sunday.
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Mets' Taijuan Walker: No-decision versus Pittsburgh
Rotowire
Walker allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two in five innings in a no-decision versus Pittsburgh on Friday.
Originally scheduled to pitch Thursday, Walker instead took the mound a day later due to rain. He didn't pitch deep into Friday's contest, and the Mets' offense didn't come alive until after he was out of the contest, leaving him with just his second no-decision in his last eight starts. Walker has enjoyed arguably the best season of his career with a 2.50 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 89:30 K:BB through 90 innings. He could make his next start in Pittsburgh coming out of the All-Star break.
