Kodai Senga allowed just two hits over seven innings and the Mets hit three home runs en route to a 13-2 laugher over the Cardinals Saturday night in St. Louis. The victory gives the Mets the series win and they’ll go for the sweep tomorrow afternoon.
The Mets gave Senga an early lead on another poor defensive play by the Cardinals, one which officially went as a double steal, with Francisco Lindor scoring a run. It was a big game for Lindor, who had four hits and scored three runs, including one in the third inning that made it 2-0.
DJ Stewart made it 3-0 in the fourth inning with a solo homer. And Daniel Vogelbach turned it into a laugher with a grand slam home run in the fifth. Pete Alonso completed the HR barrage with a two-run blast in the seventh. Metsense tells me it was the sixth straight multi-homer game for the Mets, which is tied for the most in the majors this season.
Meanwhile it was an odd but dominating performance by Senga. He didn’t throw many forkballs early and he didn’t have the 99-mph fastball we’ve seen from him, either. But it didn’t matter. He seemingly toyed with the Cardinals, with the only blemish being a solo homer surrendered to Nolan Arenado. Senga earned his 10th win of the season and lowered his ERA to 3.19, which should vault him into the top 10 in ERA.
The Mets pounded out 13 hits in the game. Jeff McNeil had a three-hit game and is hitting .316 in the month of August.
What would be really cool to see Senga go on a roll for his last, what, eight starts and win the NL Cy Young award.
The kind of game we expected to have this season. Senga has more than held up his end of the bargain and we should be thrilled he’s under contract. Lindor, McNeil, and Alonso came up big as did Vogelbach and OMG who in the world is Stewart?? Happy to keep adding wins. Are we pigs to hope for a sweep?
Gut Reaction: Senga is aconsistently pitches tlypitches of good game. The last time he gave up for earn runs was back in June.
The Mets have an excellent middle infield defense in Lindor and McNeil. Especially when they turn a double play.
Stewart is making a good impression. He would be a power bat off the bench, a sometimes DH and an emergency outfielder. If he keeps up this to the end of the season then maybe he would be considered on the 2024 roster.
Right now the Mets are rolling.
6 games out of the wild card. Could leapfrog the Padres today.
Too bad we can’t play a last place team every day!