Mets Lose To Nationals 5-2 After Taijuan Walker Struggles With Command

Mets RHP Tijuan Walker (Photo Credits to Amber Searls-USA Today Sports) The New York Mets lost to the Washington Nationals 5-2 this afternoon in Washington D.C to lose three out of four games in the series and dropped their record to 36-29. RHP Tijuan Walker got into immediate trouble in the bottom of the first inning after LF Kyle Schwarber hit a lead-off walker. Walker threw a scoreless inning in the bottom of the second inning, but in the bottom of the third, he gave up a single to SS Trea Turner who then stole second and then gave up an RBI single to 1B Josh Bell. Walker had a scoreless inning in the bottom of the fourth, but gave up a solo homer to Scwarber in the bottom of the fifth, his second of the day. Walker had a scoreless bottom of the sixth inning, but gave up a one-out double to pinch-hitter Gerardo Parra in the bottom of the seventh with one out and was taken out. RHP Jeurys Familia came in next and gave up a two-run homer to Schwarber, his third of the game, fifth in two games and 18th ths year. Walker's final line was 6.1 innings, 10 hits, 4 runs, 0 walks and 5 strikeots. Familia then walked Turner and a single to RF Juan Soto, but came back to strike out 1B Josh Bell and catcher Yan Gomes to end the inning. RHP Drew Smith threw a scoreless bottom of the eighth inning. RF Kevin Pillar led off the top of the second with a solo homer. The bats went quiet for the next few innings agaisnt Nationals starter LHP Patrick Corbin until the top of the seventh when 1B Pete Alonso hit a solo homer. They managed only four hits all afternoon. The Mets next game is tomorrow afternoon back home at Citi Field against the Arlanta Braves in the first game of a doubleheader at 4:10 p.m.