Remembering Mets History (2016) New Mets Second Baseman Neil Walker Blasts 8 April HRs

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Neil Walker came to New York from Pittsburgh in the 2015-2016 off season in a trade for pitcher Jonathon Niese & to replace Daniel Murphy at second base. The Mets knew they were getting an upgrade defensively but had no idea that Walker would have the hot start he did, making everyone forget about a guy named Daniel Murphy, for the time being.

 April 5th 2016 Kansas City: After the Mets dropped their first game of the season in a hauntingly familiar place, Kansas City the second game was important to come out of with a win. Noah Syndergaard, probably the most hated pitcher on the Mets staff in Kansas City, continued where he left off in last years World Series. He shut out the Royals for six innings striking out nine. Jim Henderson, Addison Reed & Jeurys Familia contributed with scoreless, hitless innings as well.
One of the newest Mets; Neil Walker did all the damage hitting a two run HR off Chris Young in the 4th inning, sealing the Mets 2-0 win.

 Friday April 15th Cleveland: The Mets went on to Cleveland to play Terry Francona's Indians in an interleague matchup. On the mound for New York was Bartolo Colon who had started out his career almost two decades ago (1997). He would pitch into the 6th inning earning his first win of the season.

The Mets got long balls all around, hitting four on the night Michael Conforto, Yoenis Cespedes, Alejandro DeAza & Neil Walker all went yard as the Mets won it 6-5.

 Saturday April 16th Cleveland: The next day in a 4:00 PM start the Mets took a hard 7-5 loss as Matt Harvey fell to 0-3 on the season. The Mets continued to hit the long ball, as Curtis Granderson got his first of the season, Yoenis Cespedes hit his third & Neil Walker hit his third of the season, an 8th inning solo shot.

 Monday April 18th Philadelphia: The Mets continued on their successful road trip, taking the first game of a three game set in Philadelphia. Noah Syndergaard earned his second win of the year (2-0) pitching seven innings while allowing just a run with eight more strike outs.

In this game Neil Walkers slugging continued as he blasted his fourth of the year, coming back to back after Lucas Duda's solo shot. The Mets hit three more HRs on the night, as David Wright hit his second of the year as well. Mets 5 Phillies 2.

 Tuesday April 19th Philadelphia: This was a classic Mets blowout, as spot starter Logan Verrett completely shut down the Phillies in six innings & the bullpen Jim Henderson, Rafael Montero, Hansel Robles did the mop up. The Mets offense exploded for 12 hits 11 runs & six HRs.

In the 6th inning the Mets were ahead 5-0 after HRs from Michael Conforto & Yoenis Cespedes. With one out Neil Walker stepped up & hit his fifth HR of the short season making it 6-0 Mets. In the 7th Lucas Duda connected for his second of the year & Walker followed with another back to back performance. Walkers sixth of the year as the Mets rolled.

 Saturday April 23rd: Atlanta The Mets continued rolling along as they would win seven of nine on this road trip setting a record for most HRs in franchise history in a weeks span. In this game, the Mets would support Steven Matz in his second win (2-1) but only hit two HRs, a minor feat considering the powerful weak they have had at the bat. Asdrubal Cabrerra would hit his first & yes that man again, Neil Walker connected for #7 on his season, a 9th inning shot off Ryan Weber. Cabrerra followed with another Mets back to back job.

Monday April 25th Citi Field: The Mets returned home after the successful early season road trip & hosted the Cincinnati Reds. The Mets got a 1st inning solo shot from Michael Conforto but the Reds came back. They then got a two run blast from Lucas Duda going ahead 3-1 but again the Reds came back. It was Neil Walker who blasted a two run 8th inning shot that was the game winner.

 It was Walkers 8th HR of the season, his first as a Met in Citi Field & the most he has ever had in his career in a calendar month. It has been a pleasant performance so far early in the 2016 season for newcomer Neil Walker. His slugging start matches Dave Kingman & Carlos Delgado's big Aprils in Mets history. As of April 25th Walker was second in the NL in HRs (8)  had 12 RBIs & was batting .300.

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