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PHOENIX — Kodai Senga sure didn’t appear long for Wednesday’s outing after walking five batters over his first three innings.
However, it wasn’t just about preventing the Diamondbacks runners from scoring, the Mets right-hander also displayed accuracy in his pitching, with valuable defensive support further aiding his success.
Senga survived and the results were extremely palatable.
With Senga throwing six shutout innings, the Mets won 7-1 in the series rubber game at Chase Field to complete a 3-3 road trip.
Juan Soto handled much of the offensive heft with two home runs and three RBIs.
It was his second multi-homer game of the season, with both occurring against the D’backs.
Senga saw his ERA drop to 1.16 on a day he allowed only two hits and struck out four, departing after 89 pitches.
It was Senga’s fourth start this season in which he didn’t surrender an earned run.
This strong performance was a much-needed lift for the Mets, as it meant they received a solid six innings from their starter for the second consecutive game, reducing the workload on the bullpen.
On Tuesday, David Peterson gave the Mets six innings in which he allowed four earned runs in a loss.
Max Kranick allowed one run over 1 ¹/₃ innings before Huascar Brazobán got the final two outs in the eighth. Ryne Stanek pitched a scoreless ninth.
Senga received early defensive help to keep the game scoreless.
One notable play in the game was Alek Thomas’ double to left-center in the second inning, leading to Eugenio Suárez being thrown out at home on an impressive relay from Tyrone Taylor to Francisco Lindor to Luis Torrens.
After walking two batters to start the third, Senga escaped by getting Pavin Smith to hit into an inning-ending double play.
Senga also benefited from Torrens throwing out Corbin Carroll attempting to steal second base in the first inning.
Soto homered in the sixth for the game’s first run.
Luisangel Acuña delivered an RBI single in the seventh that extended the Mets lead to 2-0. Torrens’ double leading off fueled the rally.
Acuña swiped second for his ninth stolen base this season.
Jeff McNeil’s ensuing triple widened the Mets lead to 3-0.
Soto homered on a cutter from Jalen Beeks leading off the eighth.
The two-homer game was Soto’s second against Arizona in less than a week — he also blasted two in last Thursday’s series finale at Citi Field.
Carroll launched a leadoff homer in the eighth against Kranick to pull the D’backs within 4-1.
Kranick allowed two additional hits in the inning before Brazobán was summoned and got the final two outs. Included was a strikeout of the dangerous Suárez.
Lindor smashed a two-run double in the ninth to give the Mets a cushion.
José Azocar and Taylor each walked in the inning, before Lindor delivered his second double of the afternoon.
Soto’s sacrifice fly gave the Mets a 7-1 lead.