Taijuan Walker pitched seven shutout innings as the New York Mets remained undefeated in 10 series this season by beating the sloppy Washington Nationals 4-1 on Thursday.
Mark Canha went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs for the NL East-leading Mets, who took two of three against the Nationals. New York has won nine series, split honors in one and hasn’t lost two straight in a month.
Walker (1-0) allowed three hits, walked one and threw 85 pitches in the longest start of his four this season, which was interrupted by a stint on the disabled list with right shoulder bursitis.
Walker benefited from a rare double play that prevented Washington from scoring. Seth Lugo struck out two in the eighth and Edwin Diaz allowed Juan Soto’s two-out homer in the ninth inning before retiring Josh Bell to complete the four-hit ball effort.
The Mets managed only five hits, but went up 2-0 in the first inning on a single by Canha with the bases loaded, and Washington was never a serious threat. New York took advantage of an erratic performance by Nationals starter Joan Adon (1-6), who walked five of the first 10 batters he faced.
For the Mets, Puerto Ricans Tomás Nido 4-1 with an RBI, and Francisco Lindor 3-0 with a run scored. The Dominican Starling Marte 4-0. The Venezuelan Luis Guillorme 3-0.
For the Nationals, the Dominicans Soto 4-2 with runs scored and RBI, Maikel Franco 3-0, and Nelson Cruz 3-0. Venezuelans César Hernández 4-0, and Keibert Ruiz 3-0. Cuban Yadiel Hernández 2-0.