Taijuan Walker created a No. 4 train derailment in his Subway Series debut Saturday.
In a performance that should bolster his All-Star Game résumé, the Mets right-hander allowed two earned runs on two hits and two walks over 5 ²/₃ innings with five strikeouts in his team’s 8-3 victory over the Yankees.
Walker held the Yankees hitless into the sixth inning, but as he was at 96 pitches, it was unlikely he would be allowed to pursue a piece of Mets history. Aaron Judge made the point moot by blasting Walker’s pitch No. 97 into the right-field seats.
Walker — who finished with a season-high 106 pitches — wouldn’t have been allowed to extend beyond the sixth, even with the no-hitter intact, according to manager Luis Rojas.
“Health is always going to come first,” Rojas said.
Pitching on two days’ extra rest, Walker saw his ERA inch from 2.38 to 2.44 after Miguel Castro allowed an inherited runner to score from first base in the sixth.
“[Walker] has five very good pitches and he’s not giving in with any of them, even in hitters’ counts,” Brandon Nimmo said.
Jacob deGrom, with his 0.95 ERA, is a lock for selection to the National League All-Star team, but the right-hander told The Post last week that he won’t participate in the July 13 game if he pitches the Sunday before the break, as he is scheduled to do.
Walker and Marcus Stroman are the Mets’ other strong All-Star candidates. If deGrom opts to skip the game, MLB wouldn’t be required to pick a replacement from the Mets. But the candidacies of Walker and Stroman could be enhanced based on MLB wanting a National League participant from the nation’s largest media market.
“It would be cool to make it, but my No. 1 goal is to go out there and help the team win,” Walker said. “If I make it, awesome, but if I don’t then I will have four days off to spend with my family and recharge for the second half.”
Walker has held opponents to three earned runs or fewer in 13 of his 15 starts this season.
“He’s a guy that deserves to be in the All-Star Game,” Rojas said. “He’s been outstanding. He’s been another ace for us.”