Mets Bullied As They Pass Nationals For Another Series Win


WASHINGTON — Taijuan Walker stood next to Juan Soto after tagging him during a skirmish at third base, which the Washington Nationals cavalry felt was more fierce than it should have been.

Walker and the Mets punish the NL East.

Walker had seven hits from the smooth, goalless ball, and the Mets were undefeated in 10 series this season, beating the sloppy Nationals 4-1 on Thursday.

The burly right-handed Walker tagged Soto in third place after the Nationals’ best hitter made a simple base running blunder and plunged himself into a shambles after Josh Bell slammed into a left-handed grounder. Soto got into the forearm of the bag a few meters ahead of Walker and argued for a blocking call, but Walker already had the ball when Soto got there.

“This was unexpected. I got a little pissed off because it was a wreck and I didn’t think it would slide towards me,” Walker said.

After tagging Soto, Walker frantically kicked second base and right fielder Starling Marte was back in third to catch Bell and end the Nationals’ best chance to rally.

“Things like that, when we’re behind, they’re not good for basic running decisions,” said Washington Manager Dave Martinez. “We need to make better decisions”

Mark Canha went 3 to 4 with a homer and three RBIs for the first-place Mets taking two of the three of the last-placed Nationals. The Mets won nine series and split one and haven’t lost two games in a month.

“There’s a striker of the day. We give the award when we come in,” he said. “It was me today and then, the great thing about this team is that I feel confident that all of our hitters have won the award at some point this year. … Someone is always the hero and that was the coolest part of this year.”

Walker (1-0) allowed three hits, a walk, and 85 shots, the longest of his four starts this season, but was interrupted by one measure on the injury list with a right shoulder bursitis.

Seth Lugo hit two in the eighth, and Edwin Díaz allowed Soto’s two-stroke homer in the ninth before retiring to complete Bell in four.

Soto said he was at fault in the devastated game that came after he opened the fourth inning with a double from the wall in the right centre.

“I was caught in the middle of nothing,” he said. “I tried to slide. I didn’t try to hurt him or anything like that. He should at least give me room to slide on the floor.”



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