Kodai Senga didn’t have to wait 20 minutes to take the mound in his second start. The result was a smooth first inning and a fine six innings. Combined with long balls from Pete Alonso and Eduardo Escobar, it all added up to a 5-2 win for the Mets Saturday afternoon at Citi Field.
While Senga allowed two hits in the first inning, it didn’t have the same impact as in his first game, where after two batters he allowed a run. Senga pitched five shutout innings before a leadoff homer to Jazz Chisholm in the sixth. He allowed two walks in the frame but got out of it with a ground out to end the threat. He finished with 1 ER in 6 IP, with 6 Ks and 8 ground ball outs.
Meanwhile, the Mets gave Senga an early lead when they scored on a bases-loaded walk. Prior to the walk, the Mets loaded the bases with a HBP, a walk and an infield single.
But the power would come in the middle innings. Alonso hit his fourth homer in the past three games, as he delivered a two-run blast in the fifth inning to push the lead to 3-0. And then Escobar, who had hit the ball hard his first two times up with nothing to show for it, delivered an opposite field homer in the sixth, a two-run shot that pushed the lead to 5-1.
With Senga out of the game after six innings, the Marlins threatened in the top of the seventh. The Mets ran thru Drew Smith and Brooks Raley, with Raley giving up a bases-loaded, RBI single to the last batter he faced. John Curtiss came on to end the inning with a popup and he pitched a 1-2-3 eighth, not allowing a ball out of the infield. David Robertson pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his second save of the season.
The Mets designed their bullpen in the offseason to have five “locks” and three guys to fill out who had options remaining. But Edwin Diaz is out, Smith has a 6.00 ERA and Raley has a 12.00 ERA. Curtiss may end up playing a bigger role than expected
Gut Reaction: three soft balls at shortstop looked routine but they were not. Lindor turned them into outs. In comparison, a similar ball to Berti turned into an infield hit.
Two starts for Senga and he established himself is a MLB pitcher.
Alonso is on pace to hit 90 homeruns. Escobar hit the ball good and finally was rewarded with his homerun. Curtiss was a shrewd signing .
They have a series win now sweep the Marlins.
Got a little nervous with the pen initially unable to go through the later innings and quash what started to look like they might let the Marlins back into the game. Nice to see Escobar put one out, but you have to think that Baty will be here sooner than later when his thumb is ready. Yes it’s only 9 games into the season but no one other than Marte is hitting a respectable BA and without hits falling in they would need to rely on the HR and they are simply not built that way. Kudos to Senga for another strong start going 6 innings. Appears Alvarez makes the start today working with veteran Cookie. Firing up the DVR as the honey do list is extensive for today. I’m with Metsense in going for the sweep today!