Taijuan Walker Explains His Bumbled Play In Game Against Pirates

New York Mets pitcher Taijuan Walker dug his team into a deep hole during Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, but the first-year right-hander's team ultimately emerged from the deficit to eke out a 7-6 victory over the Pirates at PNC Park.

Returning from his All-Star Game appearance, Walker faced nine batters Sunday and retired just one, getting leadoff batter Adam Frazier to ground out. The Pirates then went double, single, walk, double, walk, walk, infield single, walk to push across six runs — but that infield single is something you have to see to believe.

The Mets quickly found themselves down 6-0 to the Pirates in the first inning Sunday, and even though they turned it around by the end of the game, Walker still admits he made a mistake.

“I sucked today,” Walker said, per the New York Post. “But the team, the hitters picked me up and especially the bullpen too.”

The Pirates had already put Walker on the ropes, building a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning with the bases loaded and one out, when eighth-hitter Kevin Newman sent a swinging bunt down the third-base line, the Post reports. It started foul, which explains why Walker went after it with his glove, but it spun back to hit the foul line.

Of course, the replays show the ump's call was correct.

“Obviously I thought it was foul. It was so close,” Walker said. “It is what it is. It’s over with. We won the game.”

“The boys picked me up, everyone,” Walker said. “I’m gonna get into my five-day routine now, and I’ll be ready for the next one.”

When asked about being off his routine, he said he doesn't want to make any excuses.

"It was my day to start," he said. "I have to go out there, I have to be better. I’ll be better next time.”