Senga allowed four walks and three runs in one ⅓, while Ohtani replaced him
Oct 14, 2024
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Senga started Game 1 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) at Dodger Stadium on the 14th (Korea time) and was replaced after allowing one hit, four walks and three runs in one ⅓.
Senga handled Shohei Ohtani with a groundout to second base in the bottom of the first inning. Ohtani pulled a 92.8-mile fastball on the second pitch from a one-ball, but it fell in front of second baseman when it was missed. However, Senga walked No. 2 Mookie Betts straight. Freddie Freeman then allowed four pitches in a full count, and Teoscar Hernandez also gave up a straight walk to load the bases with one out. The pitching coach had no choice but to visit the mound.
Senga seemed to get out of the woods by catching Will Smith with a short fly ball to center field, but Max Muncy hit a two-run timely hit. Muncy lightly hit a 92-mile cutter flying into the middle at 2B1S and connected it with a line drive to a hit that fell in front of center field, bringing in two runners.
Senga, who threw a wild pitch in the first pitch at Kiké Hernández's at-bat, led Kiké to a pitcher groundout and finished the inning with only two outs and runners on the second and third bases.
Senga was also shaken in the second inning. He walked to first baseman Gavin Lux and Tommy Edman's sacrifice bunt made him hit a right-handed hit, widening the gap to 0-3. Ohtani drew a cutter in the middle of Senga's 90.7-mile first pitch and connected it with a hit that flowed in front of right field, bringing Lux home the second baseman.
In the end, Senga was replaced by right-hander Reed Garrett.
Senga started Game 1 of the Division Series (DS) against the Philadelphia Phillies on the 6th and was replaced after allowing one hit and one run in two innings. Senga, who took the mound for the first time in three months at the time, allowed a superior solo home run to the leader Kyle Schwarber in the bottom of the first inning, but he played his part by giving up only one walk and striking out three against seven batters.
After taking a break for 7 days, he will play in the first game of the NLCS.
Prior to this season, coach Carlos Mendoza said he would make Senga the first starter ahead of this season, but he injured his right shoulder in the spring training and entered the season on the injured list (IL). After four months of rehabilitation, he started against the Atlanta Braves on July 27 and showed off his strong performance by winning five ⅓ innings with two hits, one walk, nine strikeouts, and two runs, but he ended the season by injuring his left calf while pitching.
As the Mets went to the postseason, Senga had a chance to take the mound again.
jhno@sportschosun.com
