Kodai Senga delivered arguably worst start of his career Saturday in the New York Mets’ 11-6 loss to the Athletics on Saturday. In his third outing of the season, Senga only lasted 2 1/3 innings after giving up seven earned runs on eight hits (two home runs). He walked two and struck out just three after 72 pitches (40 strikes).

After giving up a leadoff hit in the first, Senga retired the next three he faced. But the first inning was the only one he made it through unscathed as things unraveled for the right-handed starter in the second.

Senga gave up back-to-back hits in the second and then after a strikeout, walked the next two he faced walking in a run. He allowed one more run in the inning before shutting things down. A lead the Mets grabbed in the first inning was short-lived as New York trailed 2-1 after two.

The third is where things went even further down hill for Senga and forced manager Carlos Mendoza to go to the bullpen. Senga gave up four straight-hits, including a double, two-run home run, and two singles. After recording his second strikeout of the day, he then gave up his second home run of the inning and it was a big three-run home run to give the Athletics seven runs.

That was all for Senga as Mendoza called in Huascar Brazobán out of the bullpen to relieve Senga. In his postgame availability, Mendoza said that Senga just didn’t have much and it all started with his command.

“He just didn’t have it (fastball command). He kept going to that sinker just to see if he could get back in counts or get strikes, but he just didn’t have a feel for his pitches,” said Mendoza. “A few forkballs there, ball out of the hand, just overall getting behind because the command wasn’t there,” said Mendoza.

Senga said after the game the biggest thing was not being able to control very many pitches near the strike zone or over the plate. He took the blame for letting the team down and spoke about how he didn’t do his job as a pitcher to get the Mets off on the right foot.

“In times like this, I think it’s really important as a starting pitcher to get the team off on the right foot,” said Senga. He ended by saying, “I wasn’t able to do that today, so that’s very regretful on my end.”

Through his first three starts, Senga owns a 7.07 ERA. He has thrown 14 total innings, giving up 11 earned runs on 17 hits (two home runs), with seven of those 11 runs being given up Saturday against the Athletics. Senga was a major wildcard entering the season given his performance and physical struggles in 2025. Saturday was not a good sign for how 2026 may go.