Mariners starting pitcher Taijuan Walker showed great improvement in his third start of the season Tuesday against the Astros after his first two starts were pretty bad.
Walker, who threw 101 pitches, allowed one run and struck out eight in 5 1/3 innings. He allowed 14 runs in 7 1/3 innings during his first two starts.
"I thought he was outstanding," manager Lloyd McClendon said, per MLB.com. "He did exactly what I thought he was going to do. Obviously the pitch count got up a little bit, but he pounded the zone and really pitched off his fastball very well. He did a nice job for us."
Walker's fastball was ranging from 95-98 mph Tuesday.
"I just went out there and attacked them with the fastball," Walker said. "That was the main focus. I definitely don't like the four walks, but it was a start to build off."