Kodai Senga recorded his second save and his fourth consecutive scoreless appearance as the New York Mets defeated the Washington Nationals 4-1 on Friday at Citi Field, retiring the side in the ninth inning to close out the win.
Senga earns second save as Mets beat Nationals 4-1
Kodai Senga recorded his second save and his fourth consecutive scoreless appearance as the New York Mets defeated the Washington Nationals 4-1 on Friday at Citi Field, retiring the side in the ninth inning to close out the win.
Senga, 33, signed a five-year, $75 million deal with the Mets before the 2023 season but was moved to the bullpen after struggling as a starter. He posted a 10.08 ERA after his final start as a rotation member on June 23. Friday marked his first save appearance at home; his three previous short-inning relief outings had all come on the road.
Interim manager Andy Green said Senga will continue to pitch in high-leverage situations, including potentially the eighth inning depending on matchups, with closer Devin Williams on the injured list due to a strained shoulder. Senga has one year and $15 million remaining on his contract.
In the ninth inning Friday, Senga retired the first two batters before Jacob Young singled to right field. He then hit CJ Abrams with a pitch to bring the potential tying run to the plate, but ended the game by getting Abimelec Ortiz to swing over a forkball. Green singled out that final pitch as an example of Senga's effectiveness.
Francisco Lindor contributed a home run in the sixth inning that tied the game, offsetting a third-inning error by Lindor that led to an unearned run. Separately, the Mets said infielder Mark Vientos, on the injured list with a right hand fracture, has begun hitting, fielding, and agility drills on the field, though the club has not determined when he will begin a rehab assignment.
Senga entered the game as the stadium darkened and Michael Jackson's 'Beat It' played over the Citi Field sound system. Senga said he chose the song because he 'heard it for the first time in a while and thought that's a great song.'
- The source does not state Senga's overall ERA or statistical line since moving to the bullpen.
- The source does not state the expected timeline for Devin Williams's return from his strained shoulder.
- The source does not state when Mark Vientos's rehab assignment is expected to begin.
- The source does not identify which specific matchup factors would determine whether Senga pitches in the eighth rather than the ninth inning.
- The source does not state the final score of each of Senga's three previous relief appearances.
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