Mets takeaways from Friday's 2-1 win against Mariners, including Kodai Senga's dominance
Kodai Senga was masterful again and the Mets offense did just enough in Ronny Mauricio's debut to beat the Mariners 2-1 at Citi Field on Friday night.
Here are the takeaways…
- Mauricio made his MLB debut Friday and handled himself well. A natural shortstop, the infielder started at second base and made every defensive play hit his way including a nifty double play in the third inning.
But he was just as impressive at the plate. In his first at-bat, Mauricio launched a double 117 mph off the bat. It's the hardest hit ball by a Met this season.
In his second at-bat, Mauricio struck out swinging on three pitches, but picked up a single in his third AB. The infielder finished 2-for-3.
Mauricio became the first Met to have multiple hits in his MLB debut since Steven Matz -- yes, the pitcher -- in June 2015.
-Friday was also the return of Brett Baty after the third baseman was demoted to Triple-A. His offensive struggles continued but that could have been a product of Mariners starter Logan Gilbert who was on his game. Baty struck out looking on a 98 mph fastball that was painted at the corner in his first at-bat.
He struck out looking in his second at-bat, but lined a single through the right side to break a 0-for-21 slump dating back to before his demotion. He finished 1-for-3.
- The Mets offense had a hard time getting to Gilbert. The 26-year-old got through 6.2 innings while giving up just one run; his one mistake was a solo shot given up to Brandon Nimmo in the sixth that tied the game at 1-1. Nimmo now has 20 home runs of the season, a new career high.
The Mets had a chance to take the lead in the seventh, but Nimmo grounded out with men on first and second and two outs to end the threat.
New York had another chance to take the lead in the eighth inning with Francisco Lindor on third with one out after the shortstop singled and stole his 25th base (tying a career-high). Pete Alonso struck out but Daniel Vogelbach battled to hit a single to score Lindor and give the Mets a 2-1 lead after a nine-pitch at-bat.
-Kodai Senga was masterful again, keeping the red-hot Mariners off balance with his wide array of pitches and fooling them with his patented ghost fork. He made one mistake in the fourth when Senga gave up a solo shot to lead off the fourth to JP Crawford, just the second home run he’s given up in his last eight games.
Senga worked into trouble in the sixth when he had men on first and second and no one out, but the rookie struck out the next three Mariners to get out of the inning. He would work out of trouble in the seventh after giving up a leadoff double. He would strand the runner at third when he struck out the final two batters to end his night with 12 strikeouts, tying a season-high.
Senga went seven strong innings (104 pitches) giving up one run, on five hits, two walks and struck out the aforementioned 12. His 3.08 ERA is third among qualified NL starters.
- Drew Smith was called upon to close out the game in the ninth. After walking the leadoff hitter, he erased the pinch-runner after picking him off. Smith's first career pick off. He would get Hernandez to fly out but gave up a two-out single to Dominic Canzone. Smith would come back to strike out Ty France and end the game.
Highlights
What’s next
The Mets continue their three-game series with the Mariners on Saturday evening. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m.
David Peterson will be on the mound for the Mets and he’ll go up against RHP Luis Castillo (11-7, 3.01 ERA).
