Walker doesn’t trust fastball; O’s make him pay

BALTIMORE — Given how well former Mariners prospect Chris Tillman has thrown this season for the Orioles, and given his history against Seattle — 6-0 in eight career starts entering Wednesday — Mariners manager Scott Servais knew he needed his own starting pitcher to be at his best.

Ultimately, Taijuan Walker conceded after the Mariners fell to the Orioles, 5-2, on Wednesday, he was not.

“I didn’t have it today,” Walker said after allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks in five innings. “The slider felt good, but I was really throwing too much offspeed, not going to my strength — my fastball — and not really trusting it.”

Walker is now 0-3 with a 5.23 ERA in four starts in May after going 2-0 with a 1.44 ERA in four starts in April.

After allowing just one home run in his first five starts this season, the right-hander has now been victimized by the long ball five times in his last three outings, including twice against Baltimore on Wednesday.

Walker allowed back-to-back homers to Mark Trumbo and Matt Wieters in the second, as the Mariners fell behind early, 2-0.

“I threw a hanging curveball and Trumbo is a power hitter,” Walker said. “He doesn’t miss mistakes, and that’s what it was — a mistake.”

“The curveball …

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