Clay Holmes settled in, Mets’ bullpen closed door en route to series opening win over Cardinals

Monday was another strong showing for the Mets’ pitching staff. 

Clay Holmes had to battle through traffic and long counts in the early going, but he was able to limit the damage to just one run against before settling in during his first start of the season. 

The righty retired the final seven batters he faced, but allowed a solo shot to Nolan Gorman with two outs in the bottom of the sixth to bring his night to a close. 

He allowed just the two runs on four hits with three walks and five strikeouts over 5.2 IP. 

“First three innings a lot of pitches, but then he attacked,” Carlos Mendoza said. “Fourth, fifth, and then the sixth inning he was pretty efficient -- overall I thought he mixed his pitch well and got a lot better as the game progressed.”

Tobias Myers then came on and provided the Mets with exactly what they were looking for, striking out two of the four batters he faced in 1.2 perfect innings.

Myers is shaping up to be a legit weapon for New York’s bullpen this season. 

“He’s huge,” Mendoza said. “He’s a guy with that versatility and has the ability to get both lefties and righties out, he can give you multiple innings or just one inning if we need -- he’s a pretty important role for us, and did it again today.”

Brooks Raley followed that by working around a single in the the eighth, before turning things over to Devin Williams, who had his signature Airbender working as he retired the side in order to close out his first save as a Met.

Williams struck out one and threw all but two of his 12 pitches for strikes. 

“He didn’t mess around,” Mendoza said. “He was really good.”

This continues what’s been a strong start to the season for the Mets’ bullpen, a group that's allowed just seven runs across 18 innings of work over the first four games. 

“They’ve done a really good job,” the skipper said. “They’ve had to cover a lot of innings with two extra inning games out of the gate, and they’ve kept us in games so far -- we’ve asked a lot out of some of them out of necessity, but we'll just continue to keep in the mind the big picture and continue to protect guys when we need to.”

Yankees’ bats quieted by Mariners in season’s first loss after Cal Raleigh’s walk-off single

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees looks on during the eighth inning, Image 2 shows Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his walk-off single during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at T-Mobile Park on March 30, 2026 in Seattle, Washington, Image 3 shows Cole Young #2 of the Seattle Mariners tags out Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees during the fourth inning at T-Mobile Park on March 30, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.

SEATTLE — The Yankees now know what the Giants must have felt like throughout the first series of the season.

After their pitching staff shut down the Giants for three straight games to start the year — and largely did the same with the Mariners on Monday — the Yankees got a taste of their own medicine.

On a chilly night at T-Mobile Park, their bats were held in check and their bullpen finally cracked in the bottom of the ninth, when Cal Raleigh delivered a walk-off single against Paul Blackburn to lift the Mariners to a 2-1 win and hand the Yankees their first loss.

After Ryan Weathers gave up one run across 4 ¹/₃ innings in his Yankees debut, the bullpen turned in 3 ²/₃ scoreless innings — making it 14 ²/₃ to start the season — before the Mariners got to Blackburn in his second inning of work. Aaron Boone had already used Fernando Cruz, Jake Bird, Brent Headrick and Camilo Doval, and had David Bednar for an inning if the Yankees had gotten the lead, so Blackburn went back out for the ninth in the 1-1 game.

Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his walk-off single during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at T-Mobile Park on March 30, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. Getty Images

Leo Rivas led off with a single past the dive of Ben Rice and one out later, Brendan Donovan singled on a bouncing ball up the middle to put runners on the corners.

Raleigh, who began the night on the bench after starting the year 2-for-15 with 10 strikeouts, then came through in the clutch, hooking a single down the right-field line to end it.



“If we’re going to win that game, it just felt like our best way to go was with Black[burn],” Boone said. “I thought he managed contact for the most part there, even in that final inning. … They found a couple holes and beat us.”

The Yankees had another aggressive night with the automated ball-strike system, going 5-for-5 on challenges, matching the amount of hits they tallied against a dominant Luis Castillo and the Mariners bullpen.

Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees reacts during the eighth inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on March 30, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. Getty Images

The only two hits Castillo gave up across six innings came on a bloop and a dribbler, with the Yankees racking up 17 swings-and-misses against him.

“We were having a hard time with his fastball, it was playing up tonight,” Boone said. “That low slot, he’s able to generate some swings and misses at the top. With his fastball, he was getting us to swing through some pitches.”

Weathers, who struck out seven, was solid in his Yankees debut, retiring seven straight into the fifth inning, when the first two batters reached on singles and then moved to second and third on a groundout.

Fernando Cruz then replaced Weathers and bailed him out, getting pinch-hitter Dominic Canzone and Julio Rodriguez to whiff badly at splitters, keeping it a 1-0 game.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) signals for a pitching change during the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“I definitely want to be more efficient, want to be in the zone a little bit more,” said Weathers, who said he was battling some nerves in the first inning before settling in. “I don’t want to hang my hat on 4 ¹/₃ innings. I want to get deeper in the ballgame, and a lot of that comes from managing pitch count myself and not falling behind in counts.”

The Yankees took advantage of Castillo leaving the game and quickly tied it up in the top of the seventh. Ben Rice led off the frame by roping a single against lefty José A. Ferrer before Giancarlo Stanton reached on an error.

One out later, with runners on the corners, Amed Rosario pinch-hit for Ryan McMahon — to which the Mariners responded by bringing in righty Eduard Bazardo. But Rosario got the job done anyway, lifting a sacrifice fly to center to tie the game 1-1.

Cole Young #2 of the Seattle Mariners tags out Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees during the fourth inning at T-Mobile Park on March 30, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. Getty Images

The Mariners threatened to take the lead in the bottom of the seventh, putting runners on the corners with one out, but Headrick struck out Raleigh before Doval got Rodriguez to ground out — though that was it for Doval after two pitches because Boone did not want to use him for a second up this early in the season.

“I thought our whole team threw the ball well all night,” Weathers said. “Seattle threw the ball well. It was definitely a pitchers’ duel.”

Keeping Sean Manaea stretched out is a work in progress for Mets

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Mets pitcher Sean Manaea (59) reacts as he walks back to the dugout after ending the seventh inning at Citi Field, Sunday, March 29, 2026

ST. LOUIS — Sean Manaea is still trying to figure out the particulars.

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A day after pitching 1 ¹/₃ innings in relief, the displaced Mets starter was asked Monday how he will remain stretched out for the first time he’s needed in the rotation this season.

“I don’t really know,” Manaea said before the Mets beat the Cardinals 4-2 on Monday.

The ideal scenario for the left-hander is one in which he’s used in a piggyback role, allowing him to pitch three or four innings to remain built up.

Manaea will likely be utilized as a sixth starter on the next homestand.

“If it’s going to be like [Sunday], I don’t really know how you do it in that situation, stay stretched out,” said Manaea, who allowed two walks and one hit over his scoreless stint, which consisted of 29 pitches.

Manager Carlos Mendoza indicated there are decisions that will have to be reached regarding Manaea’s usage.

Mets pitcher Sean Manaea (59) reacts as he walks back to the dugout after ending the seventh inning at Citi Field, Sunday, March 29, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

“I’m not worried about this time around,” Mendoza said. “The tricky part is if this becomes something that we are planning on doing, where we are just going to do 30 pitches in games, it will affect him. But with him being built up to 85 pitches the last time he pitched, the 29 he threw [Sunday] we’re not concerned moving forward.

“But then the decision will be, ‘Is it 50 pitches here? Is it 40? Is it another short outing?’ These are some of the things we have to keep in mind.”




Jorge Polanco has dealt with Achilles soreness the past two days, according to Mendoza, relegating him to DH duty for both games. Jared Young, who went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI, started at first base on this night to become the third Mets player to start at the position this season (Polanco and Brett Baty are the others).

“We’re not concerned [about Polanco] to the point that he is playing,” Mendoza said. “But we want to limit his exposure on the field. We have just got to treat it here and just be careful with him, especially this early.”


Luis Robert Jr. was on the bench, as the Mets look to preserve the outfielder’s legs during this stretch in which the team is scheduled to play nine straight days. Baty received his first major league start in right field — a position at which he worked in spring training.

“That third deck in the outfield is new for him,” Mendoza said. “The sound of the ball off the bat is different compared to a spring training game. You have got more people here. It’s a bigger outfield. There’s a lot of new for him there, but he’s comfortable and if anybody can do it, Brett Baty is the guy.”

Cal Raleigh’s walk-off hit hands Yankees their first loss of 2026

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 30: Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his walk-off single during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at T-Mobile Park on March 30, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The opening salvo in this three-game battle between the Yankees and Mariners was as tight as you could have expected—and also true to expectations, pitching led the way. Neither staff so much as blinked throughout this game, but ultimately the Mariners found the big hit late as they prevailed, 2-1. Cal Raleigh’s walk-off single against Paul Blackburn sealed the deal following a tremendous start from Luis Castillo, but Ryan Weathers showed plenty of panache in his Yankee debut, and the bullpen turned in another strong effort until the dam finally burst.

The Mariners grabbed the initiative in the second inning when, following an early rally against Weathers, second baseman Cole Young grabbed a two-out ribbie on a shattered-bat single to right. It was the first time the Yankees trailed this season—the Giants had rarely threatened them in the previous series.

The Yankees failed to respond in the top of the third inning, but José Caballero showed off his umpire skills by reversing two called strikes against him. Those successful challenges produced a walk which ultimately allowed Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger to take two-out plate appearances. Judge walked, but Bellinger punched out to end the rally.

Then in the fourth, Ben Rice, Giancarlo Stanton and Jazz Chisholm Jr. all won challenges of their own on low strike calls. This led to a rather tense dialogue between home plate ump Mike Estabrook and the Yankee dugout. You can never fully foresee all the implications from implementing something like the ABS challenge system; one thing I didn’t expect was this kind of spat. It feels like a foregone conclusion that Aaron Boone will find a way to get himself tossed for this at some point this season.

Unfortunately, the Yankees’ prowess in catching Estabrook’s mistakes could not get them on the board against Castillo, who made them flail all night against his sharp fastball. La Piedra piloted smoothly through six scoreless innings, striking out seven Bombers—including a punchout of Judge in the sixth which marked the 1,500th in his excellent career. Overall he racked up 17 whiffs, 13 of which came on his four-seam fastball.

Weathers, for his part, fought through some early turbulence to put together a solid first start with the Yankees. After throwing around 40 pitches through the first two innings, he was far more economical in the third and fourth before running into another jam in the fifth which ended his night. The M’s got two in scoring position with one out, compelling Boone to make a call to the bullpen with lefty-killer Rob Refsnyder looming on deck.

Fernando Cruz came in for Weathers, and Dan Wilson countered by pinch-hitting Dominic Canzone. But the lefty outfielder swung over the top of a filthy splitter for out number two. Then the notoriously slow-starting Julio Rodríguez proved unable to lay off the split-finger either, allowing Cruz to preserve a solid final line for his starter: 4.1 innings, one run, four hits, two walks, and seven strikeouts.

That kept the Yankees solidly in the Mariners’ rear-view mirror. In the seventh, they crept closer thanks to a leadoff knock from Rice and a patented Giancarlo Stanton Infield Single. Jazz moved the tying run to third on a fielder’s choice before Amed Rosario came off the bench to hit for Ryan McMahon. Wilson opted to switch from lefty Jose A. Ferrer to righty Eduard Bazardo. Rosario got the job done, lofting a fly ball to deep right center to score Rice and knot the score at 1-1.

The Mariners got a dream scenario to take the lead back in the home seventh, but their two superstars’ struggles continued to get in their way. Brent Headrick got himself cornered before facing Cal Raleigh, pinch-hitting for Canzone. Raleigh had earned himself a rest day to start this series thanks to his 10 strikeouts in four games against Cleveland to start the year, and Headrick allowed him to continue his sabbatical with yet another strikeout. After that, Camilo Doval entered to retire Rodríguez on a chopper to second base, stranding the pair on M’s.

Both offenses went quietly in the eighth before Stanton continued his excellent start to the year in the ninth. Facing fireballer Matt Brash, he slashed a blistering line drive into the left-center gap and cruised easily into second for a double thanks to a poor route from Randy Arozarena. That marked his fourth consecutive multi-hit game to begin the season. A productive out from Chisholm moved pinch-runner Randal Grichuk to third for Rosario with two outs, but Brash’s slider wiped him out and compelled the Yanks to force extra innings.

But it wasn’t to be. Blackburn, who pitched the eighth for New York, soldiered on into the ninth and quickly found trouble. The Mariners got runners on the corners with just one out for the scuffling Raleigh—the big moments always seem to find you when you’re struggling, don’t they? But this time, the AL MVP runner-up lined a Blackburn cutter just fair down the line to hand the Yankees their first loss of 2026.

Boone probably considered closer David Bednar off the table for this situation (even with the MVP runner-up at the plate), but regardless, it was curious not to see at least Tim Hill make an appearance, especially with the two tough lefties in Young and Brendan Donovan taking turns at the dish in the ninth. Blackburn was easier prey. The 162-0 dream vanishes in Game 4. Oh well.

For a series featuring these two stellar pitching staffs, the first game certainly delivered on the billing. We’ll see two aces take the hill tomorrow: Max Fried opposite Logan Gilbert. First pitch will come at the same 9:40 PM EST slot as tonight, with coverage on YES.

Box Score

Guardians hand Dodgers their first loss of 2026

Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians right fielder Angel Martinez (1) steals second base against Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Looking to keep their undefeated season alive, the Dodgers couldn’t get anything going until the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians as the offense fell mostly silent in a 4-2 defeat.

Roki Sasaki made his first big league start since May of last year, looking to turn the page after a rough spring training where he walked 15 hitters and allowed 15 earned runs over 8 2/3 innings. Sasaki couldn’t get an out after tossing 30 pitches in his final spring tune-up against the Angels, but against his first batter of the regular season, he struck out Steven Kwan looking. He eventually allowed just one hit to Jose Ramírez in a scoreless first inning on 21 pitches. Sasaki continued to impress in the top of the second inning, facing the minimum and striking out a hitter on just 13 pitches.

Sasaki faced immediate pressure in the top of the third inning, as he allowed a leadoff double to Austin Hedges. Kwan traded places at second with Hedges, marking the fourth straight game that the Dodgers would have to play from behind. Miguel Rojas started the bottom of the third inning in the same manner as Hedges against left-hander Parker Messick, and the Dodgers had two men on with nobody out with Shohei Ohtani at the plate. On a 3-2 count, Messick picked off Rojas at second base, got Ohtani to line out and then struck out Kyle Tucker to keep the Dodgers scoreless.

Compared to his counterpart, Sasaki’s pitch count was noticeably high, and although he posted good results in his first start, he was pulled after allowing a leadoff single to Angel Martínez in the top of the fifth. Over 4+ innings of work, Sasaki allowed just one run on four hits and two walks while striking out four. Tanner Scott came in relief of Sasaki, and although he put another man on, he was able to leave runners on second and third by striking out pinch-hitter Rhys Hoskins. Max Muncy reached on a single to put the tying run on base with one out, but Messick got Miguel Rojas to ground to third and the left-hander got bailed out on a tremendous pick by Ramírez, igniting a 5-4-3 double play to end the threat.

Justin Wrobleski made his season debut, and although he had a quick and easy nine pitch inning in the sixth, he loaded the bases with nobody out to begin the seventh inning. He managed to get two outs, but walked Hoskins to bring in the second run for Cleveland. Daniel Schneeman thanked Wrobleski for keeping the bases loaded by lining a two-run double to left-center field to put Cleveland up by four.

The Dodgers began to rally against Shawn Armstrong in the bottom of the seventh inning, with Teoscar Hernández and Andy Pages both reaching on singles, but Max Muncy failed to give the Dodgers hope as he struck out swinging with to end the inning. The Dodgers were nearly shut out on Monday, but Mookie Betts put the Dodgers on the board in the bottom of the ninth inning with an RBI double. Freddie Freeman knocked in Betts on an RBI groundout to cut the deficit in half, but the comeback attempt ultimately fell flat.

Game particulars
  • WP— Parker Messick (1-0): 6 IP, 5 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 5 strikeouts
  • LP— Roki Sasaki (0-1): 4+ IP, 4 hits, 1 earned run, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts
Up next

The Dodgers look to bounce back after their first loss of the season as they host the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday (7:10 p.m. PT, SportsNet LA). Shohei Ohtani makes his first start of the season against right-hander Tanner Bibee.

Jackson Merrill provides late life, Padres offense manages just three hits in loss

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: Jackson Merrill #3 of the San Diego Padres celebrates after hitting a two-run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning at Petco Park on March 30, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The San Diego Padres recorded just three hits against San Francisco Giants pitching, but the last hit was the most exciting. Jackson Merrill strode to the plate with one on and two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning with the Padres trailing 3-0. He worked the count full and then belted a two-run home run to right field that pulled the Padres within a run. Giants reliever Ryan Walker was able to end the game and help San Francisco get its first win of the season one batter later when Xander Bogaerts grounded to short for the final out of the 3-2 loss for the Padres.

Merrill was the last San Diego batter to record a hit in the game, but the list of players to record hits in the game only had two more names on it. Bogaerts recorded the first Padres hit in the bottom of the second inning with a one-out single to right field. The second hit of the game for San Diego belonged to Fernando Tatis Jr. who also had a one-out single to right field, which came in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The Padres did not have an answer for Giants starter Landon Roupp and his changeup. He threw six innings, allowing two hits and two walks with seven strikeouts. Roupp kept the Padres hitters off balance throughout the game, resulting in ugly at-bats that often involved changeups being smashed into the ground or hit softly on the infield.   

The Giants crawled into the series with the Padres after getting swept by the New York Yankees to open the season. San Francisco allowed 13 runs over three games and scored just one run in that span. That changed against Padres starter Walker Buehler. The Giants were able to get to Buehler for three runs in four innings. He allowed five hits, walked two and struck out three on 72 pitches.

The San Diego bullpen was asked to cover the final five innings of the game and Wandy Peralta, David Morgan and Ron Marinaccio did so with a great deal of success. The three relievers combined to allow just one hit and one walk with four strikeouts.

The Padres will try to take the second game of the series when German Marquez makes his Padres debut on Tuesday at 6:40 p.m.

Yankees' bats quiet, suffer first loss of season to Mariners on Cal Raleigh's walk-off single

The Yankees were walked off by the Seattle Mariners 2-1 on Monday night at T-Mobile Park.

Here are some takeaways...

-- Ryan Weathers endured a bit of an up-and-down Yankee debut. The young lefty worked around a leadoff walk in the bottom of the first, but Seattle made him pay for putting a pair on in the second, scratching across the first run of the game on a Cole Young two out RBI single. 

Weathers retired the next seven batters he faced before allowing back-to-back knocks leading off the fifth. He forced a groundout then was pulled, turning things over to righty Fernando Cruz, who bailed him out with a pair of huge punchouts to keep it a one-run ballgame. 

Weathers closed his line allowing just the one run on four hits, two walks, and seven strikeouts in 4.1 innings. 

-- Unfortunately for him, the Yankees' offense couldn't get much of anything going against Luis Castillo. Their lone two hits against the righty in six innings were erased on the bases, as Giancarlo Stanton was gunned down trying to stretch a single into a double and Jose Caballero was picked off first after singling in the fifth. 

Castillo allowed just those two hits and a pair of walks while striking out seven over his six scoreless frames. 

-- New York was finally able to create some traffic with Castillo out of the game. Ben Rice led off the top of the seventh with a single, and after advancing his way into scoring position, he came in to score the game-tying run on an Amed Rosario pinch-hit sacrifice fly to center.

-- Seattle immediately threatened to answer back in the bottom-half of the inning, as a double and single put a man on third with just one out, but Brent Headrick struck out Cal Raleigh before Camilo Doval got Julio Rodriguez to groundout end the threat and keep the Yanks' bullpen scoreless for the season. 

-- Stanton laced a one out double to left in the top of the ninth, giving him his fourth consecutive multi-hit game to start the year. New York was able to push him to third on a Jazz Chisholm Jr. groundout, but then Rosario struck out on just three pitches to end the threat. 

-- The Mariners rallied against Paul Blackburn in the bottom of the ninth, eventually walking it off and handing the Yanks their first loss of the season on Raleigh's one out single. The backstop has gotten off to a slow start this season, so you knew he was due to deliver in the big spot. 

-- The Yankees had a field day with home plate ump Mike Estabrook, going 5-for-5 on ABS challenges. 

Game MVP: Cal Raleigh

Raleigh didn't get the start, but came off the bench and delivered when Seattle needed it. 

Highlights

What's next

Max Fried makes his second start of the season against Seattle's Logan Gilbert on Tuesday at 9:40 p.m.

3-2: Chart

Mar 30, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Brendan Donovan (33) hits a single against the New York Yankees during the seventh inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images | Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Mariners 2, Yankees 1

Cold baseball because it’s March: Julio Rodríguez, -.18 WPA
Cold baseball because it’s October: Luis Castillo, +.35 WPA

Game Thread Comment of the Day

Kodai Senga’s long-awaited Mets season debut comes with ace expectations

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Mets Pitcher Kodai Senga throws live batting practice during Spring Training at Clover Field, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in Port St. Lucie, FL. , Image 2 shows New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga in a blue sweatshirt and orange cap and sunglasses on the field

ST. LOUIS — Kodai Senga’s spring training performances, taken as a whole, reverberated maybe the loudest of any by a pitcher the Mets had in camp.

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The right-hander’s velocity reached new heights, and his secondary pitches were sharp. Optimism now flows that the Mets will unveil an ace at the back end of their new rotation.

On Tuesday he will return to a major league mound in a game that matters for the first time since Aug. 31, after which his second-half struggles prompted the Mets to ask Senga if he would agree to a minor league assignment. Senga accepted the demotion and pitched the final month for Triple-A Syracuse.

This spring he pitched to a 1.86 ERA in his three Grapefruit League appearances with 11 strikeouts in 9 ²/₃ innings. His only runs allowed were on two solo homers in his first start.

“The results are the results and I take them with a grain of salt,” Senga said through his interpreter before departing camp. “But if you look at the metrics of the pitches that I am throwing, I think that does translate into the season. Some are good and some are not as good, but compared to the previous years I feel I am performing at a higher level, so I have just got to keep it up in the season.”

Senga’s fastball touched 99 mph during spring training and Mets officials were encouraged by the manner in which he carried himself. Last season Senga averaged 94.7 mph with his four-seam fastball.

Mets Pitcher Kodai Senga throws live batting practice during Spring Training at Clover Field, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in Port St. Lucie, FL. Corey Sipkin for NY Post

“The way he came, the treat early on — how built-up he was and how physical he was and how his body felt was really exciting,” pitching coach Justin Willard said. “And then to kind of carry that into spring training and continue to put up big velocities, really good shapes and pound the strike zone was really good to see.”

Senga was rolling in mid-June, pitching to a 1.47 ERA when he hit the injured list with a strained right hamstring on a coverage play at first base. Senga missed a month, and after one strong performance in Kansas City began his nosedive.



Overall he pitched to a 13.73 ERA in the second half before accepting his minor league assignment.

“As long as I am healthy and can pitch my pitches, pitch to my ability, I think the results come along with that,” Senga said. “So, I am striving for that and that is what I’m here to do. I came from Japan to the States to do that. Things aren’t always going to go my way, but if that happens, I will grind out there and hopefully the results come.”

Kodai Senga works on pick off drills without a ball during Spring Training at Clover Field, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Port St. Lucie, FL. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

The Mets saw the best of Senga in his rookie 2023 season, when he pitched to a 2.98 ERA and struck out 202 batters in 166 ¹/₃ innings. But injuries limited Senga to one regular-season start the next year, although he started twice during the playoffs.

Senga, before he left camp, was asked what he was still perfecting.

“The forkball, making sure it’s down,” Senga said of his signature ghost fork. “I don’t want to leave it up. It’s still happening a little bit and … hopefully I can bury it in the dirt.”

Manager Carlos Mendoza has been consistent in his praise of Senga since the pitcher’s first start this spring.

“I am excited because of what he’s shown in spring training,” Mendoza said. “The way he threw the ball, how he bounced back, just the smile on his face, the interaction that I’m having with him.”

Purple Row After Dark: What are your Rockies takeaways so far?

Mar 30, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Colorado Rockies Troy Johnston (20) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images | Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

What a wild four games for the Colorado Rockies.

They are swept by the Miami Marlins in the first three games, losing each game by only one run.

Then, they are stranded in Maimi for an additional six hours:

Recipe for disaster, right?

Next they faced the American League Champion Toronto Blue Jays — a team they lost to 45-6 through three games last year.

But tonight?

You were not dreaming: The Blue Jays had a position player, Eric Heineman, pitch the last two innings.

But that leads to tonight’s question for the Purple Row Night Owls: What are your biggest takeaways from the first four games?

Let us know in the comments.

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New York City Mets Defeat St Louis City Cardinals 4-2 on 3/30/26

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 30: Kyle Leahy #62 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the New York Mets in the first inning at Busch Stadium on March 30, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Ha, see what I did there, St Louis City? There were a bunch of county cops outside the stadium tonight. But it’s the city, dang it! Anways, sorry this recap is a little bit delayed, but I was at the game tonight and had some photography to prepare, just got out of the dark room now.

The game was much more of a Major League Baseball score tonight, the Metropolitans scoring 4 runs to the Cards 2. The Redbirds had a few opportunities to tie it up, but the offense was pretty silent outside of a Burly RBI and a Nolan Gorman home run.

Kyle Leahy experienced his first Cardinals start against a robust Mets lineup, and while he looked tough, he didn’t get the best results: 4 earned runs and walked 2 batters. To my eye at the game, the Mets were able to find the gaps tonight, and the BABIP backs that up at .381 on the night. Better luck next time, Kyle!

Busch on March 30, 2026

Alec Burleson RBI!

Herrera ends up getting a hit!

Jordan Walker massive cut!

Ok I had some more photos but there’s a time limit on recaps now so I’ll make this one more brief.

Howl’s destruction of the all you can eat Coca Cola zone ticket:

  • 3 bratwurst
  • 6 chicken strips
  • 2 orders of fries
  • 3 sodas
  • 3 beers at 4 hands beforehand

Ok, I would write more but i’ll be quicker on the draw next week. Thank you.

Mets' Bo Bichette focused on competing at the plate, knows there's 'still more to go'

After going 1-for-14 against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Mets' opening series this past weekend, Bo Bichette admitted his at-bats were "terrible" and he was chasing a moment with his new team.

Looking to turn the page Monday on the road against the St. Louis Cardinals, Bichette stepped up when it mattered. 

He drove in a first-inning run on a groundout and then came through with a two-out RBI single in the fifth inning to put the Mets ahead for good as they'd go on to win 4-2.

Bichette finished the game 1-for-5 with two RBI, bringing his season total to three. He told reporters that he did a better job competing during his at-bats, but knows there is still plenty of room for improvement.

"I mean, I just wanted to get back on track I guess, compete," Bichette said. "I felt like I did a better job of that today, but still more to go."

He added: "Just kind of getting back to basics. But really, I mean the most important thing is getting out there on the field and getting in the moment and competing. Just did a better job of that."

The former AL batting champ is known to be a strong opposite field hitter throughout his career and put that skill on display Monday with the RBI single to right field, which recorded a 106.8 mph exit velocity, per Statcast. 

He was asked if driving the ball the opposite way is something he expects to do, saying it's more about being in a good position to have competitive at-bats.

"Well I mean as a competitor I expect to be in a good place all the time," Bichette said. "I don't know if that's a sign of anything. Honestly, I just want to be in a position to compete every at-bat and I felt like I did a better job of that today."

Overall, Bichette said he's feeling "more like myself" and believes he's in a better place moving forward after a rough first three games. 

Manager Carlos Mendoza agreed, saying he isn't surprised to see Bichette have a bounce-back performance and showed "some good signs" at the plate.

"I'm not surprised, I'm not surprised," Mendoza said with a smirk. "I thought he was more under control, not trying to do too much. Even the one that he lined out to right field, that was a pretty good at-bat there too. That's good to see. When he's doing that, those are some good signs.

The third baseman will now try to build on Monday's game and put his first three games in a Mets uniform behind him.

Nolan Gorman Homers, But Cardinals Bats Go Silent in 4-2 Loss to Mets

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 30: Nolan Gorman #16 of the St. Louis Cardinals rounds second base after hitting a solo home run against the New York Mets in the sixth inning at Busch Stadium on March 30, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The St. Louis Cardinals had a silent night with the bats with the exception of Nolan Gorman who hit a moonshot home run as the New York Mets beat the Birds 4-2 Monday night at Busch Stadium.

The New York Mets jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead when Francisco Lindor tripled and then scored on a ground out by Bo Bichette. The St. Louis Cardinals answered quickly when JJ Wetherholt walked and then was moved over by Ivan Herrera. Alec Burleson continued his hot start to the season with a RBI single to draw the Cardinals even at 1-1.

Kyle Leahy was sharp for the first 4 innings, but the Mets broke through in the 5th and 6th innings adding 3 more runs to increase their lead to 4-1. In the bottom of the 6th inning, Nolan Gorman reached for the stars with a near vertical shot into the right field bullpen.

I would love to say that the St. Louis Cardinals showed their fighting spirit and rallied back to at least make a threat late in the game, but that was not the case. The stat line ended with a mere 2 runs on 5 hits as the Cardinals fell to .500 at an even 2-2 for the season.

We’ll try again Tuesday night as Andre Pallante is scheduled to make the start for St. Louis as the Cardinals will battle the Mets again with a 6:45p start time at Busch Stadium.

You just got Nick Fortes’d: Rays 3, Brewers 2

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 30: Kevin Kelly #49 of the Tampa Bay Rays is congratulated by Nick Fortes #40 after a 3-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on March 30, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Rays opened a three-game series in Milwaukee on Monday winning a close one against the Brewers.

Cedric Mullins was dropped from the starting lineup for the first time this season, which made sense with lefty Kyle Harrison starting for the Brewers. Jonathan Aranda and Chandler Simpson were the only two left-handed hitters in the lineup.

Nick Martinez took the mound to make his first start in a Rays uniform, and looked to flip the script on a horrendous spring (13.2 IP, 14.49 ERA). He threw six solid innings, allowing just two runs on a William Contreras homer. If he can provide that line consistently, he will be a big addition to the rotation.

Yandy Diaz continued his hot start to the season with a leadoff home run, his first bomb of the year. In his next at bat, in vintage Yandy Fashion, he hit a single the other way with a 106 mph exit velocity.

Jonny DeLuca tied the game in the seventh with a 438-foot solo shot to left field (109 mph). If DeLuca can focus on getting out in front like he did tonight, and pulling the ball in the air, he may be able to unlock some more power this season. I’ll be honest, I didn’t think DeLuca had a swing like that in his bag.

Nick Fortes got involved in a big way on both sides of the plate in the ninth inning. His double to right drove in the eventual winning run. Then, in the bottom of the ninth, successfully challenged a pitch that would’ve made it a 3-1 count on Blake Perkins. It was changed to a strike, making it a 2-2 count, and Perkins grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the game on the very next pitch. It’s early in the season, but Fortes has been a big contributor early on and played a huge role in tonight’s win.

After using Griffin Jax and Garrett Cleavinger in the seventh and eighth innings respectively, and Bryan Baker having pitched each of the last two days, Ian Seymour got the ball to start the ninth. It was a big vote of confidence from Kevin Cash, even if he didn’t have a better choice. Seymour hit the first batter he faced, but got the next two batters out. Kevin Kelly came in to get the final out, which was pinch hitter Blake Perkins.

The Rays will look to secure their first series victory of the season tomorrow night in Milwaukee, with Shane McClanahan making his first start since August 2023.

Brewers fall late 3-2 to Rays in first loss of season

Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Trevor Megill (29) watches an RBI double by Tampa Bay Rays catcher Nick Fortes during the ninth inning of their game Monday, March 30, 2026 American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. | Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It was not the Milwaukee Brewers night tonight against the Tampa Bay Rays. It started with the first batter of the game when Yandy Diaz ripped a misplaced changeup from Kyle Harrison over the left field wall for his first homer of the season.

However, Harrison rebounded quite well from that first hitter, striking out eight across five innings of one run ball, scattering just four total hits.

“I thought he threw the ball well. For his first outing with us, he threw the ball really well and responded really well, especially after the first two innings” Pat Murphy said postgame.

The Brewers offense was able to provide some support in the 6th inning when Brice Turang led things off with a double down the line, his fourth double already of the regular season. Then William Contreras followed with an absolute blast to centerfield.

107 MPH off the bat and 415 feet later the Milwaukee Brewers had their first lead of the ballgame on Contreras’ first homer of the year.

But that lead would be short-lived as Aaron Ashby, in his second inning of work of what’s already his third appearance of the season, allowed a leadoff home run to Jonny DeLuca of the Rays to immediately tie the game back up.

The Brewers had a chance to take a lead late in the 8th. Turang walked and then stole second base, Contreras smoked a line drive but right at Junior Caminero. Luis Rengifo drew a walk so there was two on and two out, but pinch-hitter Gary Sanchez struck out swinging and Pat Murphy turned to Trevor Megill in the 9th.

Megill, pitching on back-to-back days, got the first two outs no problem, but then walked DeLuca on a full count and put the game in the hands of catcher Nick Fortes.

“We mound visited, and our message was ‘he’ll ambush fastball up’. That’s what he’s looking for.” Pat Murphy said.

Sure enough, Fortes ripped a fastball up and out of the zone to right-center for an RBI double and the Rays took a 3-2 lead.

In the bottom of the 9th, Sal Frelick led off with a hit by pitch, but the bottom of the order couldn’t get him over and in with a Mitchell strikeout, Hamilton flyout, and Blake Perkins groundout to end it.

“Two plays that killed us today was the two out walk and then Contreras’ line drive (in the 8th) getting caught. That’s a double and that’s a run” Pat Murphy said.

Brandon Woodruff is on the bump tomorrow for the Brewers as he makes his first start of the season.