Neil Walker laughs at the suggestion he enjoys punishing the Pirates, chuckles at the idea he is torturing his old team that traded him to the Mets.
But it sure looks that way, and Pittsburgh probably doesn’t find it funny.
Walker homered for the fourth time in nine games against the Pirates, the latest one spotting the Mets a two-run lead in first inning of a 4-2 win in front of 34,035 at Citi Field.
“More than anything, it’s about winning. I really could care less who we’re playing. I’ve turned the page and most of my family and friends have as well,” said Walker, who was born in Pittsburgh and played the start of his career there until getting traded to the Mets last season. “Yeah, it’s always nice to play well against a former team I guess, but [it’s not relevant].”
Playing well is an understatement.
Walker has pounded the Pirates, the same way Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy — whom he was brought in to replace in December 2015 — has worn out the Mets. Murphy has hit .390 against the Mets with eight homers and 26 RBIs.
Walker got drafted by his hometown team in 2004 and spent his entire career with the Pirates until they traded him for left-hander Jonathon Niese.
On Saturday, he crushed a 3-1 pitch from Pittsburgh starter Tyler Glasnow over the wall in right-center to plate Michael Conforto and spot the Mets a 2-0 first-inning lead.
“I was able to get into a favorable count, 3-1 count. I just wanted to be aggressive and got a fastball middle-in, a place I like to hit,” Walker said. “In this type of weather, the ball travels.”
Walker finished the night 2-for-3 with a walk, two RBIs and a run scored. It was just his latest highlight against his former club.
He stroked a go-ahead RBI triple to give the Mets a 5-4 lead Friday — a lead they couldn’t hold — and after Saturday, he is batting .361 (13-for-36) with a double, triple, four home runs and 10 RBIs in nine games against his old team. He has a hit in every game against the Pirates since being traded.
“Chalk it up to coincidence I guess,” Walker said. “I’m not swinging any harder. I’m not doing anything different. I’m happy just to be on the winning side of things. … I just want to win I don’t care who I’m playing. The fact that it’s against my former team is great, but I don’t come in here holding grudges or saying I hope I hit a home run every single game against those guys.”
OK, maybe a home run every other game against those guys.
Walker is batting .322 with nine doubles, two triples, five home runs, 21 RBIs and 22 runs scored since May 1.
“I didn’t play well in April,” Walker said. “I grounded through some things, some timing issues at the plate. Fortunately, I’m in a place where I’m getting my swing off, and I feel good and I’m seeing the ball well.”
