Mets use pitching creativity for staggering results in NLDS Game 1 win

PHILADELPHIA — The Mets did not have a true starting pitcher and apparently did not want to use Edwin Diaz.It did not matter on a night creativity beat tradition.The Kodai Senga experiment started terribly, ended up fine and looked increasingly smart long after Senga had finished pitching.Senga bounced back from an ominous first batter, thus beginning a run of several multi-inning arms who pieced together a beauty in a comeback, 6-2 win in Game 1 of the NLDS over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.Senga allowed one run (on a leadoff bomb from Kyle Schwarber) in two innings before giving way to David Peterson, who passed the ball to Reed Garrett, who handed off to Phil Maton, who watched Ryne Stanek record the final three outs.The entire group of a hybrid bullpen game combined to hold the Phillies to two runs on five hits and five walks, an array of different arms and arm slots and arsenals who baffled Phillies batters.That the Mets held this powerful Phillies offense to two runs was impressive; that they did so without a single pitcher logging more than three innings and without Diaz was staggering.The experiment began with concern, Senga dusting himself off from the calf strain and triceps tightness to take the mound for a second time this year only to watch Schwarber, the leadoff hitter, demolish his third pitch halfway up the second deck in right.

Right fielder Starling Marte did not bother taking a step backward.That would be the only hit Senga allowed, though.He walked one batter and struck out three, both his slider and ghost forkball sharp.

Senga’s velocity was slightly down, but he touched 97 mph with his fastball.Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Please provide a valid email address.

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