Kodai Senga. Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
On a night where everything seemed to go wrong for the New York Mets, right-handed starter Kodai Senga was still able to deliver a strong individual performance against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He threw six innings against a potent lineup, allowing just one run to score on four hits while striking out nine. Unfortunately for Senga, the offense was unable to provide him with any kind of run support, as the Mets fell 5-1.
His most difficult inning with the top of the sixth, when three of the first four hitters reached base. With the bases loaded and one out, Senga dug deep, striking out All-Star J.D. Martinez and getting David Peralta to ground out to keep the game tied.
“I know that I needed to hold them to a zero there, because it was right after we scored and tied the game up. “I didn’t want to lose momentum for the team, so to be able to get out of that was big, Senga said.”
Senga’s last two starts just go to show how far he has come in his first major league season. He has only allowed two runs over his last 14 innings, lowering his ERA from 3.53 to 3.20. This recent run just furthers the point that Senga deserved to be in Seattle for All-Star week. Without him, who knows how far the Mets would be out of the playoff race.
“I think the biggest part is I am able to play against these hitters, not just against the ball,” Senga said. “I am able to throw with more confidence. I can face them and not the ball.” At this point, it is pretty clear what he means to this organization. Senga is the best starting pitcher on the roster, even with Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander in the same clubhouse.
The Mets will look to salvage the final game of the series against the Dodgers on Sunday, as Scherzer faces off against young right-hander Bobby Miller. First pitch is estimated to be at 5:10 pm ET at Citi Field.
