Mets Minors Recap: Kodai Senga Struggles for Syracuse

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Double-A) were hitless on Saturday and Kodai Senga fought for Triplw-A Syracuse in what may be his final rehab match.

Kodai Senga. Photo by Herm Card

Triple-A

Rochester Red Wings (51-42) 5, Syracuse Mets (59-35) 8

SCORE CARD

CF Luisangel Acuña: 3-for-5, 2B, 2R, CS (11) (.680 OPS)
LF Luke Ritter: 0-for-2, R, BB (.853 OPS)
2B Brett Baty: 2-for-4, 3 RBI (28) (.879 OPS)
RF Carlos Cortes: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
1B JT Schwartz: 2-for-4, 2B, 2R, HR (1), 2RBI (4) (.633 OPS)

The Syracuse Mets struck early and often, led by Brett Baty with three RBIs, but also by JT Schwartz who had his best game yet at the Triple-A level, totaling two extra base hits, including his first Triple-A home run.

RHP Kodai Senga (ERA 5.23) 3 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 3 BB, 1 K, 1 HR allowed (47 of 79 pitches for strikes)
RHP Eric Orze (3.57 ERA) 2 IP
RHP Bryce Montes de Oca (8.10 ERA) 2/3 IP, 2 BB, 2 K
Left-handed pitcher Alex Young (ERA 1.16) 2/3 IP, 1 H, 1 BB
RHP Wilkin Ramos (ERA 4.22) 1 2/3 IP, 1 BB
RHP Cole Sulser (ERA of 1.48) 1 IP, 3K

Kodai Senga was effective, if not dominant, in his first three innings. However, things went wrong in the fourth inning when he allowed five runs, including a home run by Nationals prospect Brady House. Senga threw 79 pitches that day and this could well be his last rehabilitation game if the only purpose of this game was to increase his pitch count.

The bullpen saved the day by pitching the final six innings, allowing just one hit and no runs.

Nolan McLean. Photo by Bronson Harris of Binghamton Rumble Ponies

Double A

Binghamton Rumble Ponies (47-39) 0, Portland SeaWolves (50-37) 3

SCORE CARD

The Rumble Ponies weren’t a hit, so there’s not much to write home about in terms of offense. Detroit Tigers top pitching prospect Jackson Jobe held their position the entire game and allowed only two baserunners on walks.

RHP Nolan McLean (ERA 5.06) 4 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 1 H, 3 BB, 3 K (37 of 67 pitches for strikes)
RHP Cameron Foster (ERA of 3.98) 3 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Cam Robinson (ERA of 3.18) 2 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 2 K, 1 HR allowed

Nolan McLean had a good outing, allowing just one earned run on one hit while walking three batters and striking out three. McLean has been good in Double-A in limiting hits, but his strikeouts have dropped off significantly.

Hopefully his recent announcement that he will focus exclusively on pitching will allow him to reach his full potential.

Kade Morris. Photo by Ryan Levy of Nevada Athletics

High-A

Brooklyn Cyclones (41-48) 2, Jersey Shore BlueClaws (50-39) 7

SCORE CARD

The Cyclones managed to score just two runs on Saturday, on a balk and a wild pitch. Karell Paz is on a 10-game on-base streak.

RHP Kade Morris (ERA 3.33) 3 1/3 IP, 3 unearned runs, 6 hits, 8 K (51 of 72 pitches for strikes)
Left-handed pitcher Ryan Ammons (ERA 2.25) 1 IP, 3 BB, 1 K
RHP Dakota Hawkins (ERA 4.22) 2 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 2 K
RHP Henry Henry (ERA of 6.48) 1 IP, 3 R (1 ER), 2 H, 1 BB
RHP Jimmy Loper (7.65 ERA) 1 IP, 1 K

Kade Morris had a strong but short game, striking out eight batters. The defense did him no favors, however, committing three errors that day. Morris has struck out a lot of batters since his promotion.

Willy Fañas. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Low-A

Jupiter Hammerheads (47-42) 11, St. Lucie Mets (30-59) 7

SCORE CARD

Despite a great day at the plate Yohairo cowsThe St. Lucie Mets couldn’t overcome poor pitching. Boston Baro came as a replacement Jacob Reimer (who continues his rehabilitation) and had a hit in his only at bat. Kevin Villavicencio fell one home run short of the cycle.

RHP Ernesto Mercedes (ERA of 5.54) 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 2 H, 2 BB (8 of 27 pitches for strikes)
RHP Wilson Lopez (ERA of 3.55) 1 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Nick Bautista III (ERA of 8.05) 1 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
RHP Jorge De Leon (ERA 10.29) 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Edgar Moreta (ERA 9.00) 1 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 3 K
RHP Layonel Ovalles (6.55 ERA) 2 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 1 K
Left-handed pitcher Gregori Louis (ERA 1.80) 1 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 K