Kodai Senga pitches 5.2 innings with 7 strikeouts but misses win; season goal: staying healthy to complete games

New York Mets' Japanese pitcher Kodai Senga faced the San Francisco Giants today, pitching 5.2 innings and striking out seven batters, helping his team win 5-2. After experiencing injury challenges, he stressed that staying healthy is his foremost objective.

Senga began the game by repeatedly making hitters miss with his signature forkball, once striking out five batters in succession. He kept a clean sheet through the first five innings but ran into difficulties in the sixth. Although teammate Mark Vientos first hit an RBI single to put runs on the board, Senga left the game in the bottom of the sixth after allowing two runs due to consecutive hits, briefly becoming a candidate for the loss.

However, the Mets mounted a counterattack in the top of the eighth inning. Luis Torrens hit a two-run RBI single to help the team overtake the lead, followed by consecutive hits from Vientos and Marcus Semien adding two more runs. Ultimately, the Mets reversed the game to win 5-2.

In this outing, Senga threw 88 pitches, allowing five hits and two runs, while recording seven strikeouts and two walks. In his first two appearances this season, he has pitched a total of 11.2 innings, conceding only four runs, with an ERA of 3.09.

Senga was affected by injuries last season, limiting his appearances, but he has made a strong comeback this year. In an interview, he highlighted that being able to stay healthy and pitch complete games is crucial.

When discussing his view on the Mets' starting lineup, Senga believes it is a highly competitive team. He stated that if everyone can remain healthy and perform consistently, they can become a vital force supporting the team.