In a scene almost reminiscent of the one from last July, Kodai Senga, the Mets prized right-handed ace, was on the ground writhing in pain in the middle of what was otherwise a brilliant outing.
In the top of the sixth inning with the Mets trying to finish off a sweep of the Washington Nationals, C.J. Abrams hit a chopper to the left of the first base bag. Pete Alonso made a good stop and Senga ran over to cover first base, but the throw was high from Alonso. He hit Senga on the run, with the pitcher jumping to make the grab and tag the base for the out.
But he came down grabbing at his right hamstring, and quickly crumpled to the ground in pain.
The Mets (45-24) were able to complete the sweep, their second straight, with a 4-3 win on Thursday afternoon at Citi Field, but it was a bittersweet victory.
Alonso looked as though he could burst into tears at any moment, immediately running over to Senga and kneeling at his side. The infield rallied around the first baseman in an attempt to console him. Senga had thrown 5 2/3 innings of one-hit ball, lowering his ERA to 1.47, undoubtedly on his way to another All-Star selection.
Last season, Senga suffered a shoulder injury during spring training that sidelined him until late July. Finally, he made his return July 26 to face the Atlanta Braves in a crucial division matchup, only to come off the mound with a calf injury in the sixth inning. He missed the remainder of the regular season, and though he did pitch in the postseason, he was clearly not at full-strength.
Jose Castillo came in for Senga on Thursday and immediately gave up a single to Alex Wood. Luis Garcia Jr. then hit a fly ball to the right-center field warning track, sending Tyrone Taylor sprinting. He dove right at the edge of the grass, getting full extension to make the catch, sliding about a foot on the warning track dirt as he landed.
Juan Soto raised his fists and pulled Taylor’s glove up to salute the fans as they ran off the field. Francisco Lindor stood at the dugout steps waiting to first-bump Taylor for yet another incredible catch.
It helped secure Senga’s win (7-3). He walked only one batter and struck out five over, throwing only 77 pitches.
Jeff McNeil spotted Senga an early 3-0 lead with a three-run homer off right-hander Michael Soroka in the bottom of the first inning, his fourth in five games. Soroka worked around a runner on second in the second inning and runners on first and second in the third, before retiring the side in order in the fourth. But Brandon Nimmo hit his third home run in less than 24 hours to make it 4-0 in the bottom of the fifth.
The bullpen was rested and ready after David Peterson threw a complete game one night prior, but Ryne Stanek and Edwin Diaz struggled in the ninth inning, with the Nats (30-38) nearly coming back. Three runs were charged to Stanek, with Diaz allowing two inherited runners to score.
Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea are on the mend, and Paul Blackburn can be moved from the bullpen to the rotation should Senga have to go on the injured list. The Mets are insulated if they lose him again, but still, it would be a devastating blow for the best pitching staff in baseball and for Senga himself, who was eager to stay healthy this season.
