Coming back from a right hamstring strain he sustained in the middle of June, Mets aceKodai Senga made his first rehab start on Saturday with Double-A Binghamton and pitched 3.2 innings.
Senga's outing started off great as he struck out Cole Carrigg to kick things off, but a walk, fielding error, wild pitch and another walk quickly put the right-hander in danger. He allowed a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded for the game's first run (unearned) before escaping the inning with a flyout.
After shaking off some rust in the first inning Senga went back to work in the second, but his defense let him down once again after a throwing error and passed ball put a runner on second with nobody out. Senga got his second strikeout for the first out of the frame, but soon after uncorked his second wild pitch of the outing. This time it didn't come back to haunt him as he got through the inning unscathed.
In the third, Senga recorded another strikeout before giving up the first hit he allowed despite so much traffic on the bases in the first two innings. But after a scoreless third, things began to unravel in the fourth.
The inning began with a solo shot by Zach Kokoska, followed by a single and sacrifice bunt. Another single drove in the second run of the inning and a sac bunt followed by the third single of the inning put Senga and the Rumble Ponies in a 4-0 hole.
Senga's outing was done after he was unable to get the third out, allowing another single and the fifth hit of the inning.
Overall, the 32-year-old allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out four through 3.2 innings. He threw 68 pitches (44 strikes).
Despite the tough fourth inning, it was a solid start for Senga who has a chance to return to the team next week in Kansas City, manager Carlos Mendoza said earlier on Saturday.
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