Mariners starting pitcher prospect Taijuan Walker won his second straight game Monday for Triple-A Tacoma and ran his scoreless streak to 11 innings since his promotion from Double-A Jackson. Yet, Walker was a very harsh critic about his performance Monday after allowing just two hits and two walks in five scoreless innings, while striking out eight.
"I didn't think I did that great, my stuff wasn't all there tonight," Walker said, per MLB.com. "I just wasn't using my legs. When that happens, I get out of my mechanics and try to use all arm. But I fought through it and got through five innings and gave my team a chance to win."
Walker has allowed just five hits and four walks in two starts since his promotion, while striking out 12. He is 6-7 with a 2.18 ERA and .188 opponents' batting average in 16 starts this season.
"I have an advantage being new. Triple-A hitters haven't seen me pitch too much and I haven't seen them either, so I can just go out and attack them," Walker said. "My catcher [Brandon Bantz] called a great game. I just didn't execute, but it was a great team win overall. The defense made plays, the offense scored runs and the bullpen came in and shut it down."