On April 1, 2025, the New York Mets faced off against the Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park, where they suffered a 4-2 defeat in a tightly contested matchup. The Mets' starting pitcher, Kodai Senga, made his season debut, but it was a challenging outing for the 32-year-old right-hander, who ended up taking the loss after allowing four runs over five innings.
Senga’s performance started on a rocky note. In the first inning, he faced the Marlins' leadoff hitter, who quickly got on base with a double to right-center. Just two pitches later, Jazz Chisholm Jr. launched a two-run homer that put the Mets in an early 2-0 hole. Despite this rough start, Senga managed to settle down and struck out the next three batters in a row, showcasing his renowned forkball.
In the second inning, Senga continued to demonstrate his striking ability, fanning Brian Anderson and Jacob Polowy with his forkball. Although he faced a minor hiccup when Francisco Lindor committed an error, Senga was able to escape unscathed, thanks to a caught stealing by catcher Luis Torrens.
As the game progressed, the Mets began to rally. In the top of the second inning, Brandon Nimmo hit a solo home run, cutting the Marlins' lead to 2-1. Then, in the third inning, Lindor contributed with a timely hit that tied the game at two runs apiece. Senga's pitching was sharp, and he struck out the side in the third, demonstrating the potential that had made him a prized acquisition for the Mets.
However, the fourth inning proved to be a turning point in the game. After an error by Lindor allowed a runner to reach base, Senga faced a growing threat. Despite striking out the fourth batter, he issued a walk that loaded the bases. Jacob Polowy then delivered a timely double to left-center, bringing in two runs and giving the Marlins a 4-2 lead.
In the fifth inning, Senga regained some momentum, striking out Chisholm Jr. with a fastball clocked at 97 mph, the fastest pitch of the night. He retired the next two batters, ending his outing on a high note. Overall, Senga's line for the night included five innings pitched, three hits allowed, one walk, and eight strikeouts, but he ultimately surrendered four runs, two of which were earned, resulting in a 3.60 ERA for the game.
Reflecting on his performance, Senga expressed a mix of determination and frustration. "Last year at this time, I was in rehab. There was a certain uncertainty in how I would distribute my power and construct the game. I definitely want to bounce back from this," he said, emphasizing his desire for improvement as the season unfolds.
Mets manager Mendoza was optimistic about Senga’s potential, stating, "He has worked hard through the camp and is here to help lead us to victory." This season marks a fresh start for Senga, who had been limited to just one game last year due to injuries.
As the Mets look to shake off this early-season setback, they will be hoping that Senga can harness his talent and experience to lead the team in future outings. With the season still in its infancy, there are plenty of opportunities ahead for the Mets to turn things around.
Meanwhile, the Marlins celebrated a solid win, with their pitching staff stepping up to support the offense. The victory gives them an early boost in the season, while the Mets will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for their next game.
As the action continues in the MLB, fans will be keeping a close eye on Senga's next start, eager to see if he can bounce back from this challenging outing and put the Mets back on the winning track.
