Mets rookie reliever Josh Walker delivers ‘good surprise’ in return

PITTSBURGH — Josh Walker’s first appearance since returning to the Mets’ bullpen was among the few positives that emerged from the team’s performance Sunday.

The rookie left-hander was summoned with two outs in the fifth inning of the Mets’ 2-1 loss to the Pirates at PNC Park and struck out Jack Suwinski — who had already homered in the game — to escape a jam created by Carlos Carrasco.

Walker returned to the mound for the sixth and pitched a scoreless inning, getting Ji Hwan Bae to hit into a double play after allowing a leadoff single to Ke’Bryan Hayes.

“That was a good surprise,” manager Buck Showalter said. “That was good for [Walker] to come into that situation, hopefully that bodes well for his confidence in those situations going forward.”

The 28-year-old Walker, who appeared in two games last month for the Mets, had pitched to a 1.45 ERA in 14 appearances for Triple-A Syracuse. Walker was recalled Saturday along with John Curtiss as part of a bullpen shuffle in which veteran Tommy Hunter was designated for assignment.

Walker averaged 94.7 mph with his four-seam fastball Sunday.

“I liked the way he came right at them,” Showalter said. “He gave us a chance to stay in it. … If Walker can do what he showed us today, it really will take a load off [Brooks] Raley and make it easier to use him in any part of the game. That part of it is a positive coming out of this series.”

Showalter said he’s pleased with the pace at which left-hander Jose Quintana is moving in his rehab. The left-hander has been on course for a July return from his rehab following bone-graft surgery in spring training on a rib that was detected to have a lesion.

“They set up a schedule right to the day if things went perfect and he’s followed everything right on track so far,” Showalter said. “If anything, he’s wanted to do more. We’re trying not to assume anything with it.”

Andrew McCutchen’s single in his first at-bat elicited a standing ovation from the crowd, as the veteran outfielder recorded his 2,000th career hit. McCutchen has gotten 1,515 of those hits wearing a Pirates uniform.

“He’s one of the hitters I look up to and have some of the most respect for,” Francisco Lindor said. “He’s been doing it for such a long time and congratulations to him and his family. The guys who have got the character that he’s got and everything he’s done, it’s cool. They obviously love him here and hopefully he’s got many more hits, just not against us.”