LOS ANGELES The Mets find themselves in an unexpected situation this postseason—having to come back from behind in a series—after Kodai Senga’s second rehab start of sorts went horribly wrong on Sunday.
Senga only gave the Mets three innings, so they were fortunate to get three outs. In front of 53,503 fans at Chavez Ravine, the Japanese right-hander, who was allergic to the strike zone, shut out the Mets early in their 9-0 loss to the Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLCS.
The tone was established in the first inning, but it wasn’t all on Senga on a night when the Mets bullpen struggled and the offense only managed three hits against Dodgers relievers and Jack Flaherty. Senga gave up two runs while walking the bases loaded in that frame.
Senga’s velocity was lower, averaging just 93.5 mph on his seven four-seam fastballs, and the Dodgers refrained from pursuing his trademark “ghost fork.” Senga was forced to use basically useless cutters that swerved outside of the strike zone. Senga attributed his problems to mechanics.
Through his interpreter, Senga said, “I’m frustrated and disappointed, but I need to keep making adjustments and the team has a game [Monday], so we just have to keep winning games.”
It’s uncertain if Senga will be given another opportunity. The Mets may decide not to start him the following time, which might allow David Peterson to open a Game 5 at Citi Field. However, manager Carlos Mendoza stated that it is too soon to make that decision.
“I believe it will depend on his ability to recover,” Mendoza stated.
“My job is to adjust and focus on what I need to do to make the next outing better. I don’t know when I’m pitching next,” Senga remarked.
Senga was put on the disabled list after two months due to a calf issue, so starting him in October without a thorough buildup was a risk as the regular season came to an end.
Senga made a comeback and pitched two innings in Game 1 of the National League Division Series, giving up a home run to Kyle Schwarber, the first hitter he saw.
However, the Mets overcame that minor error and came back to win. For the first time in this postseason, the Mets’ performance in a game went from awful to uglier on this particular night.
There won’t be much time to recover, as Game 2 is set for Monday afternoon. The Dodgers’ bullpen game will face Sean Manaea, the Mets’ top starting pitcher for the majority of the season. The Dodgers have tossed 33 straight scoreless innings, matching the playoffs record set by the 1966 Orioles, although in the World Series.
The Mets won both of their first games after defeating the Brewers and Phillies in the first two rounds of this series, but they eventually dropped to 1-1. They will be losing a game for the first time.
Francisco Lindor remarked, “The guys were ready, I was ready, we were all ready.” “However, our performance in the game was not superior to theirs.”
Senga recorded just four outs on his 30 pitches, of which just 10 were strikes. After giving up an RBI single to Shohei Ohtani, which put the Mets behind 3-0, he was pulled in the second.
The Dodgers retired Ohtani to start the game, then Senga walked Teoscar Hernandez, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman in order to retire Will Smith for the second out. However, before Senga could get Kiké Hernandez out for the last out of the first, Max Muncy hit a two-run single.
Senga led off the second by walking Gavin Lux, and Tommy Edman moved the runner with a sacrifice bunt. Senga’s at-bat ended when Ohtani singled through the first-base hole, scoring Lux. Before Ohtani could attempt to steal second base and was thrown out by Francisco Alvarez, Reed Garrett entered to retire Betts.
The Mets got their first base runner when Lindor walked against Flaherty to start the fourth inning. Pete Alonso walked with two outs, but Flaherty put an end to the threat by retiring Starling Marte.
In the fourth inning, Peterson was well outplayed and gave up three earned runs, which increased the score to 6-0. After Marte misplayed the carom, Ohtani blasted a powerful single off the fence in right center, driving in a run. Edman and Freeman then each produced an RBI single. Hernandez opened the rally with a single.
The Mets got their first hit of the game when Jesse Winker singled to start the fifth, but he was out at third base after he hesitated between second and third on a single by Jose Iglesias. The next three batters were retired by Flaherty.
During his seven scoreless innings, Flaherty gave up two hits, two walks, and six strikeouts to the Dodgers.
In the eighth inning, Jose Butto loaded the bases before Betts hit a three-run double. After Alonso’s toss, one of the runs was not earned.
