Mets' Kodai Senga mostly sharp in two innings to open NLDS Game 1 vs. Phillies
Mets pitcher Kodai Senga (34) delivers a pitch in the first inning during Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Oct. 5, 2024. Credit: Newsday/William Perlman
PHILADELPHIA — Kodai Senga’s return began with a bang before he settled in for a fine outing Saturday.
His first batter, the Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber, hammered his third pitch for a 425-foot home run into the second deck in rightfield. It was a total no-doubter, with rightfielder Starling Marte not moving an inch, his face staying focused on the infield, and Senga turning to look away from the action at the scoreboard in right.
Senga retired six of the next seven batters, though, to finish two innings in Game 1 of the Mets’ NL Division Series. He threw 31 pitches, allowed just one hit, walked one and struck out three (two via forkball).
Lefthander David Peterson entered in relief in the bottom of the third.
The Mets knew when they decided on Senga to start the series opener that he would not pitch long. His most recent action came Monday when he threw 25 pitches of live batting practice to minor-leaguers.
Senga’s theoretical next start would game in Game 5 of the NLDS or Game 1 of the NL Championship Series. He would be lined up for about three innings that time.
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
