Mets Taijuan Walker All Over Braves
As we’ve seen recently, the New York Mets needed to get some of their starting pitching back. If nothing else, it helps to ease the burden off a very good bullpen. More than that, the Mets starting pitching has been superb.
One of the reasons why is Taijuan Walker, who has been far better than the Mets ever could’ve anticipated. That was the case again tonight in his first start back from the IL.
Like Jacob deGrom in his first start back, Walker was limited to five innings. Like deGrom Walker was great pitching five shutout innings allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out eight.
Unlike deGrom, Walker got run support. Actually, that’s putting it mildly.
The Mets got contributions from everyone in the lineup. That means everyone. Not only would Cameron Maybin finally get his first Mets hit after starting his Mets career 0-for-27, he would actually reach base safely three times while scoring two runs:
Let's goooooo! ? pic.twitter.com/cLvAOwM0Dd
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 30, 2021
It was just one of those kinds of nights where the Mets offense exploded. That explosion included homers from James McCann, Jonathan Villar, Brandon Drury, Billy McKinney, and Francisco Lindor.
It's outta here! @McCannon33 pic.twitter.com/fc4yMTS3zh
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 29, 2021
He knew it, when he hit it. GONE! @JRvillar6 pic.twitter.com/VWqEmxRrtr
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 30, 2021
Brandon Drury enters the game, leaves the park! #LGM pic.twitter.com/uf3aQqh8hC
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 30, 2021
Next. Man. UP! @billy_mckinney ? pic.twitter.com/juk6YvODvC
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 30, 2021
? @Lindor12BC HOME RUN ? pic.twitter.com/U6el1oG5Ol
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 30, 2021
While all of this came as a shock, we did see some of the things we’ve become accustomed to seeing lately like Villar making a web gem at third, and Tomas Nido catching a base stealer:
.@JRvillar6 keeping the hot corner cool. ? pic.twitter.com/fImm3X8Fko
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 29, 2021
.@tnido24 got ya. ? pic.twitter.com/pRYVEECJub
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 29, 2021
On a night like this, you could pick any of a number of things to pick out as the biggest positive. Arguably, the best part of the night was McCann busting out at the plate.
While McCann has struggled most of the year, he didn’t tonight. He as 4-for-5 with three runs, a double, homer, and two RBI.
Really, it was just one of those nights for the Mets. They wound up winning 13-2, and they once again showed the Atlanta Braves they don’t have what it takes to beat the Mets.
Game Notes: Marcell Ozuna was arrested in Georgia for domestic violence. This was Lindor’s sixth multi-hit game this season.