The New York Mets were cruising on Thursday afternoon, riding a five-game winning streak and eyeing their second consecutive series sweep. Early momentum came thanks to Jeff McNeil’s first-inning home run, and starting pitcher Kodai Senga was dominating the Nationals’ lineup, allowing only a first-inning single to James Wood and a walk. He struck out six batters and appeared to be in total control through 5.2 shutout innings.
However, the tide quickly shifted in the top of the sixth inning.
While attempting to complete a routine play, Senga sustained an injury that abruptly ended his outing. The incident occurred when shortstop CJ Abrams hit a ground ball deep in the infield. Pete Alonso fielded it and fired a high throw to first. Senga, covering the bag, leaped to catch the ball and immediately collapsed to the turf, clutching his hamstring.
Though he was able to walk off the field under his own power, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza later confirmed Senga would undergo an MRI and was expected to land on the injured list.
Alonso was visibly distraught following the play, knowing his throw contributed to the injury of one of the team’s most important players. After the game, Alonso expressed deep regret.
“I feel terrible about it,” Alonso said after the Mets’ narrow 4-3 win. “I was just trying to help make a play for my pitcher. The ball took me into the hole, and CJ is fast. I tried to get the ball out quickly and as accurately as I could. It was over the base, but it ended up being too high.”
Senga, through his translator, later reassured Alonso that he felt discomfort in his hamstring just before jumping for the ball, indicating the injury may not have been solely caused by the leap or the throw. Regardless, Alonso was clearly affected by the situation.
“It really sucks to be part of that,” Alonso continued. “Senga is one of our guys, a key part of this team. Injuries happen in baseball, but you never want to see it happen like that.”
The injury adds to what’s been a difficult defensive season for Alonso. Though he has worked to improve in the field over the years, he currently leads all first basemen with three throwing errors. While Thursday’s throw did not go down in the scorebook as an official error, its consequences were far more significant — costing the Mets their ace, at least temporarily.
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