#Taijaun Walker’s heroics not enough as Mets fall to Dodgers in 10

Taijuan Walker didn’t just rediscover his the form he showed in his All-Star first half of the season Saturday night, he also flirted with history against one of the best teams in baseball.

And the Mets let it all go to waste.

Walker started off by throwing 6 ¹/₃ no-hit innings, but the Mets still lost to the Dodgers in extra innings for the second straight game, this time 2-1 in 10 innings, at Citi Field.

Yennsy Diaz gave up a one-out RBI double to Cody Bellinger in the top of the 10th, driving in automatic runner Corey Seager from second for the 2-1 lead. Diaz came back to strand Bellinger at third by striking out pinch-hitter Justin Turner, but the damage was done.

James McCann pinch-hit for Tomas Nido to lead off the bottom of the 10th and struck out against Phil Bickford. Brandon Drury followed with another strikeout before Corey Knebel entered from the bullpen to get Brandon Nimmo to ground out to end it.

Walker had not allowed a hit entering the seventh inning but lost the no-hitter and the lead on one pitch with one out. Will Smith, who won Friday’s game with a two-run homer in the 10th inning, this time crushed a solo shot to left field with one out to tie the score 1-1.

Aaron Loup then got Walker out of a jam in the seventh before Miguel Castro and Seth Lugo followed with scoreless frames. The Mets had multiple chances to win it, but the game still went to extras.

The Mets were held in check by Dodgers’ stud right-hander Walker Buehler, who entered the night as MLB’s ERA leader at 2.13 and lowered that to 2.09. Michael Conforto was responsible for the only run in seven innings against Buehler, drilling a solo homer in the fourth inning that put the Mets ahead 1-0.

Walker, who recorded a 2.50 ERA across 15 starts entering the All-Star break, had posted a 9.86 ERA in his first five starts coming out of it. He had begun to settle in last Sunday against the Phillies, allowing three runs over six innings (his longest start since June 20), but still got tagged for three solo home runs. He had given up multiple home runs in each of his last four games before Saturday.

Getting the first-half Walker back will be crucial to the Mets’ playoff chances, especially in light of Jacob deGrom being shut down for two more weeks on Friday, putting the ace’s season in jeopardy.

Walker got off to a strong start Saturday, needing just 45 pitches to cruise through four innings, in which he only allowed one base runner, a walk to ex-Met Billy McKinney.

Walker briefly lost his command in the sixth, falling behind Buehler with a 3-0 count before walking him on a full count. But he then got Trea Turner to ground into a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning and keep his pitch count (73) in check.

Max Muncy led off the seventh with a deep fly ball to left-center field that settled into the glove of Nimmo. But Smith came up next and added some extra thump, clobbering an 0-1 slider and depositing it into the left field seats to tie the game.

Seager then drilled a double off the left-field wall. One out later, Walker walked Chris Taylor, ending his night.

Manager Luis Rojas called on Loup to face Bellinger with runners on the corners. Rojas was ejected during the at-bat for arguing balls and strikes, but Loup ultimately got Bellinger chasing for strike three to end the inning.

The Mets put runners on first and second with no outs in the bottom of the seventh, but failed to cash in. Tomas Nido tried to lay down a bunt twice before striking out. Pinch-hitter Travis Blankenhorn then struck out looking before Brandon Nimmo popped up to the catcher to end the threat.