NEW YORK — Taijuan Walker pitched a three-hit ball over seven innings in his first win for the Mets, J.D. Davis hit a two-run homer in the first off a faltering Patrick Corbin, and New York beat Washington 4-0 Sunday to take two of three in the matchup of NL East rivals.
Corbin lost his 10th straight decision dating to last August.
Walker (1-1) signed a $23 million, three-year contract as a free agent and made his fourth start.
He allowed a pair of leadoff runners but picked off Josh Harrison in the first and got help in the third when Victor Robles was throwing out trying to stretch a leadoff double to the right, with Michael Conforto throwing to second baseman Jonathan Villar. The latter made the toss to Davis at third for the tag. Albert Alomar Jr. made a running, leaping catch at the center-field wall of a Kyle Schwarber drive to end the sixth and save two runs.
Walker struck out four and walked three.
Miguel Castro struck out Ryan Zimmerman and Josh Bell to escape a two-on jam in the eighth, and Edwin Díaz finished the five-hitter with a perfect ninth for the Mets’ second shutout of the series and third this season.
Davis had three hits, raising his average to .414.
Corbin (0-3) allowed four runs, seven hits, and three walks in four-plus innings, lowering his ERA from 10.95 to 10.47. He is 0-10 in 11 starts since winning at Citi Field last Aug. 10.
call reversed in a video review.
RACING TOWARD HERD IMMUNITY
Nationals manager Dave Martinez said more players had received the COVID-19 vaccine, and he expects the team to reach the 85% threshold required to loosen protocols. Washington had 11 players either test positive for the virus or be exposed to a teammate who had the virus before opening day. “We’re getting closer, we’re getting closer — hopefully, it’ll happen real soon,” said Martinez, who received his second dose nine days ago.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Nationals: Martinez said LF Juan Soto (left shoulder) felt good after hitting off a tee Saturday. … RHP Wander Suero (left oblique) emulated his mechanics without throwing a baseball Saturday. … RHP Stephen Strasburg (right shoulder) threw from 120 feet Saturday and plans to do so again Monday. … LHP Jon Lester (COVID-19) was scheduled to throw 90 pitches in a simulated game Sunday.
Mets: RHP Drew Smith (right shoulder) faced batters Saturday at the Mets’ spring training complex in Florida. … RHP Seth Lugo (right elbow surgery) has thrown two bullpens.
UP NEXT
Nationals: RHP Max Scherzer (1-1, 1.80 ERA), who has thrown 17 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings, opens a two-game interleague series Tuesday against Toronto in Dunedin, Florida.
Mets: LHP David Peterson (1-2, 6.75 ERA) starts Tuesday’s series opener against Boston. Peterson won against the Red Sox in his big league debut at Fenway Park last July 28.
