Prior to Monday night's series opener against the Braves, Mets interim manager Andy Green wasn’t ready to commit to one specific player taking over the closers’ role with Devin Williams sidelined.
Kodai Senga seemed like the most logical candidate with his recent move to more of a one-inning high-leverage relief role, and just a few hours later, he was indeed the man for the job.
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Senga came on in the bottom of the ninth and cruised his way through the heart of the Braves’ lineup to put the finishing touches on an 8-5 Mets win which also went down as his first career save.
The right-hander came out pumping 99 mph on the gun with his fastball, then struck out lefty sluggers Matt Olson and Michael Harris II with a pair of nasty forkballs in the dirt.
He issued a two-out walk to Ozzie Albies, but was able to get Mauricio Dubon to fly one weakly to right just two pitches later, locking up the series-opening victory over the division rivals.
“Really good stuff,” Green said. “His first two punchouts were sensational -- those were some of the best hitters in the league and he threw really good forkballs to punch them out -- I thought he was great tonight.”
This continues what’s been an extremely smooth transition for Senga into this high-leverage role following a brutal start to the season that forced him out of the big-league rotation.
Mainly leaning his pumped up fastball and signature forkball, he now struck out five batters while allowing just two baserunners over his last three appearances.
“Those are two sensational pitches,” Green said. “He doesn’t have the need to expand the arsenal -- those two pitches are his bread and butter right now, and he was able to plow through two of the best hitters in the league.”
With Williams facing at least a short stint on the IL, Senga appears likely to have a shot at holding onto the ninth-inning role at least for the next few weeks.
It's a situation he feels comfortable with, and appears ready to embrace.
“I think it’s a great environment for myself,” Senga said via an interpreter. “I will continue to go out there and do my best no matter what situation I am put in.”
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