Walker’s play starting to match high expectations

CLEVELAND — This is the Taijuan Walker the baseball world has seemingly been waiting on for the past few years. The breakout candidate with the high upside and high heat, firing six innings with no earned runs in picking up his first victory of 2016 in Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over the Indians.

Walker hooked up in a pitchers’ duel with Indians standout right-hander Danny Salazar and came out on the winning side, as he gave up just three hits with no walks and six strikeouts before turning things over to his bullpen after 110 pitches.

“You are starting to see it,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said after the 23-year-old improved to 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in his first three starts. “Guys get into scoring position, he bears down a little bit more. You see a little bit crisper stuff. He’s getting an understanding. He’s getting comfortable, and obviously the confidence continues to grow. It’s great to see a young guy with that kind of talent.”

Salazar was outstanding as well, surrendering only a two-run triple to Norichika Aoki in the second inning in a three-hit outing over seven frames. But Walker pitched even better on this night, as he continues emerging as one of the American League’s brightest young right-handers.

Since his slow start in the first nine outings of 2015, Walker has been a strong part of the Mariners’ rotation. In his last 23 starts, he’s …

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