Kodai Senga and the Mets (47-64) took on the Marlins (56-55) in the second game of a four-game set. Senga made his first start in about five weeks on Spider-Man night at Citi Field, but it did not result in a winning effort after he faded in the fifth inning, with the Marlins winning 5-2.
Senga took the mound for the top of the first, starting in place of Freddy Peralta, who was scratched on Friday amid trade speculation. The veteran set the Marlins down in order in the first, looking to put his season-long woes behind him.
The Mets came to bat in the bottom of the inning, looking to take an early lead. Although A.J. Ewing ripped a 106.4 MPH ball to right field, it was caught for an out, with the next two Mets following suit. The score remained 0-0 after the first inning.
After just one base runner reached base for either side through three-and-a-half innings, Francisco Lindor became the first Mets base runner with a one-out walk. An Otto Lopez error that acted as a fielder’s choice saw Lindor thrown out between second and third. With Bo Bichette now on first, Carson Benge doubled to make it second and third with two outs, before Luis Robert Jr. struck out to end the inning. The game remained scoreless after four innings.
After four brilliant innings from Senga, the fifth would not be nearly as kind. Three consecutive base runners reached, culminating in an RBI double that gave Miami a one-run lead. Senga exited for Xzavion Curry, while still being responsible for the runners at second and third. The second pitch by Curry resulted in a two-RBI single, extending the Miami lead to 3-0 and closing the book on Senga’s outing. Another hit after a fielder’s choice would plate yet another run for the Marlins before the inning finally came to a close with Miami leading 4-0.
Senga’s final line: 4+ IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, L.
Jorge Polanco by Berto Carlo
In the bottom of the inning, Jorge Polanco reached on an error with two outs. Francisco Alvarez followed with a walk before Ewing smoked a single to center field to drive in the first Mets run of the night. Lindor kept the inning going with a single to left field to load the bases, before Bichette popped out to end the inning with the Marlins’ lead at 4-1.
After Curry recorded an out to begin the sixth inning, a one-out solo home run extended the Miami lead to 5-1 before Curry was able to retire the side.
Lindor crushed a two-out, 392-foot home run to left field in the bottom of the seventh inning, cutting into the Marlins lead. However, there would be no additional scoring that inning, with the Mets trailing 5-2 after seven.
Benge led off the bottom of the eighth inning with his third hit of the night, looking to spark a Mets rally. However, he was immediately erased by a Robert Jr. double play, followed by a Jared Young strikeout to end the inning.
Curry continued on for his fifth inning of work in the top of the ninth, a remarkable performance in saving other arms that could be dealt in the coming days. His final line: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 K.
The Mets came to bat with one last chance to make a comeback, however that would not come to pass. Marcus Semien struck out to begin the inning, followed by a Jorge Polanco flyout. Alvarez was the final hope, and he hit a deep flyout to center to end the game.
Player of the Game: Francisco Lindor
Lindor has quieted any trade rumors surrounding his same in the past week, and tonight’s performance was a testament to his value as a Met. The shortstop went 2-for-3 with a no-doubt seventh inning home run and a walk. Although the Mets could not pull out a Friday night win, Lindor’s value to the ball club remains ever-present, with his recent offensive numbers reminding fans how good he actually is.
On Deck
The Mets will resume action on Saturday at 4:10 p.m. EST in the third contest of the four-game set against the Braves. Zac Thornton will make the start, looking to continue his excellent rookie campaign. The game will stream live on SNY, with radio on WCBS 880 and the Audacy app.
