Mets Kodai Senga showing signs of success as…
Almost nothing has gone as deliberate for the Mets this season, which is how they ended up with Kodai Senga coming into Friday’s sport in the top of the ninth, making an attempt to close out a win over Washington as Michael Jackson’s ”Beat It” blared over the Citi Field sound system.
The Mets right-hander, whose first three short-inning aid appearances got here on the street, picked up the save with a scoreless inning in a 4-1 victory over the Nationals.
It was Senga’s fourth straight scoreless look as properly as his second save.
With Devin Williams on the injured record due to a strained shoulder, interim supervisor Andy Green said Senga would get a lot of work out of the bullpen down the stretch.
“He’s done a good job,’’ Green said. “He’s attacked hitters [and] filled up the strike zone. He’ll continue to pitch in leverage situations.”
That might be in the eighth inning as properly, relying on matchups, according to Green.
And Senga is doing his best to embrace the new position, which got here after he repeatedly flopped as a starter following his standout rookie season.
“It’s easier to prepare when you know you’re going in later in the game,’’ Senga said through an interpreter. “You’re always physically and mentally prepared.”
One half of working as a reliever Senga has yet to do is throw on back-to-back days.
“I feel I’m properly ready for it,’’ Senga said.
No one was ready for the music selection, though, as the stadium darkened and the Eighties hit got here on, with Senga operating in from the bullpen with a three-run lead.
Kodai Senga celebrates with catcher Luis Torrens after choosing up a save in the Mets’ win over the Nationals. Robert Sabo for New York Post
Senga said he selected it because he “heard it for the first time in a while and thought ‘That’s a great song.’ ”
Green authorized of the selection and also was impressed again by Senga’s strategy.
“I don’t see an ounce of fear,’’ Green said. “I see somebody attack the situation. That’s what you’re looking for.”
Kodai Senga closes out the ninth inning to decide up his second save in the Mets’ 4-1 win over the Nationals on Aug. 14, 2026 at Citi Field. Jason Szenes / New York Post
None of this is what the Mets had in thoughts when he signed a five-year, $75 million deal prior to the 2023 season.
At this level, they’ll take what they will get from the 33-year-old, and there’s perception that his four-seam fastball/forkball combine could play out of the bullpen.
Green famous that Senga’s ultimate pitch of the sport, a forkball that Abimelec Ortiz swung over, was good.
Senga retired the first two batters he confronted in the ninth before Jacob Young singled to proper. He then hit CJ Abrams with a pitch to deliver up the potential tying run in Ortiz before ending it.
The 33-year previous had a 10.08 ERA after his last start as a member of the rotation on June 23, so practically something could be an enchancment.
Considering his early success, it’s hardly a shock to see Senga not shying away from his new job.
He acknowledged the adrenaline is “different’’ popping out of the pen and with another yr and $15 million on his deal, Senga could have to get accustomed to it.
Mark Vientos (proper hand fracture) is hitting, fielding and did agility drills on the sphere, but the Mets will not be sure when he’ll start a rehab project.
Francisco Lindor continued his current sizzling hitting with a homer that tied the sport in the sixth, which helped make up for a third-inning error that led to an unearned run.
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