New York Mets pitcher Taijuan Walker commented on his fielding blunder that resulted in three runs being scored during Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The New York Mets pulled off a come-from-behind, thrilling 7-6 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday afternoon. In the first inning, the Mets surrendered a grand total of six earned runs, three of which came on a horrendous blunder by pitcher Taijuan Walker.
Kevin Newman of the Pirates hit a swinging bunt down the third base line and Walker tossed the ball out of play. However, the ball was fair. Walker thought it was a foul ball, as did Mets manager Luis Rojas, who was ejected for arguing over the call. But when you look at this replay, you can see that home plate umpire Jeremy Riggs was correct to call it fair.
Mets: Taijuan Walker comments on fielding blunder vs. the Pirates
After the contest, Walker commented on the fielding blunder, saying that while it was a “crazy play,” the Mets left Pittsburgh with the win.
“Obviously I thought it was foul. It was so close,” Walker said, via Ken Davidoff of the New York Post. “It is what it is. It’s over with. We won the game.”
“I flipped the ball. I was just trying to get it out. It was so close. I just flipped it out and I thought I flipped it in the dugout. I didn’t even realize it was still in play. It was one of those plays that just happened. Crazy play.”
While the Mets did get in an early 6-0 hole, you can not gloss over that the Pirates did managed to blow that lead. New York came back to cut their deficit to 6-5 thanks to an RBI single by Dominic Smith in the third, a three-run homer by Travis Blankenhorn in the fourth and an RBI double by Smith in the sixth. But in the top of the ninth, outfielder Michael Conforto played the role of hero by smashing a two-run homer off Pirates closer Richard Rodriguez to give the Mets a 7-6 lead.
Sure, the error will gain the most publicity, but all the Mets care about is that they emerged with the “W.”