Mets Lose to Braves 9-6 After Taijuan Walker Struggles

Mets RHP Taijuan Walker (Photo Credits to Jason Szenes)

 The New York Mets lost to the Atlanta Braves 9-6 tonight at Citi Field and dropped their record to 67-39.

RHP Taijuan Walker got off to a tough start in the top of the first after he gave up a RBI double to 1B Matt Olson and two batters later a three-run homer to LF Eddie Rosario.

Walker's struggles continued in the top of the second after he gave up a solo homer to CF Michael Harris II, a RBI single to SS Dansby Swanson and then a single to Olson and was taken out.  

RHP Trevor Williams came in next and gave up a RBI ground-out to 3B Austin Riley and a RBI single to Rosario which closed the book on Walker's night.

Walker's final line was 1.0 innings, seven hits, eight runs, 0 walks and 2 strikeouts.

Williams settled in nicely and gave the pen a much needed rest with a valiant effort of four scoreless innings.

LHP Joely Rodriguez threw a scoreless top of the sixth.

RHP Mychal Givens threw a scoreless top of the seventh.

RHP Tommy Hunter followed and threw a scoreless top of the eighth, but came back out for the top of the ninth and gave up a solo homer to catcher William Contreras.

After a scoreless bottom of the first, CF Brandon Nimmo drove in the first run of the game with a RBI single. 

In the bottom of the fifth, SS Francisco Lindor and 1B Pete Alonso singled with one out and two batters later, 2B Jeff McNeil singled.

Pinch-hitter Darrin Ruf followed with a two-run  double and 3B Eduardo Escobar then hit a RBI single. but catcher Tomas Nido flew out to end the inning.

The bats did not do much else after that outside of a solo homer by McNeil in the bottom of the ninth.

They were 5-14 with RISP (runners in scoring position) and left 10 men on base.

The Mets next games are a doubleheader tomorrow Saturday August 6th with the first game beginning at 1:10 p.m. and the second game starting at 7:10 p.m