Sean Manaea allowed just two hits over five innings and threw 77 pitches before being forced to leave Wednesday night’s game due to an 87-minute stoppage that began in the bottom of the fifth inning.
It was a disappointing result for Manaea and the Mets, whose bullpen was in disrepair and they were hoping for more long-term action, but there was little room for complaint after a commanding 12-2 Subway Series victory over the Yankees at Citi Field.
But in a way, Manaea was fortunate not to allow a run as he got three double plays in the first four innings, including one by Alex Verdugo with the bases loaded after a visit from pitching coach Jeremy Heffner.
“I have a tendency to overthink things, which leads to a lot of walks,” said Manaea, who issued five walks following Tuesday’s five by winning pitcher David Peterson. “You’ve got to keep things rolling.”
Manaea settled down after the first match.
Mendoza said pitcher Kodai Senga is scheduled to take batting practice against minor league players at Citi Field on Thursday.
The right-hander said Tuesday he hopes to begin a minor league rehab assignment as early as next week after missing all of this season with shoulder tightness.
Carlos Beltran, who manager Mark Vientos credited with his approach heading into Tuesday’s game against Gerrit Cole, said he had a brief conversation with the third baseman while the Mets were in Chicago last weekend.
“I told him to use his power the other way,” Beltran said. “He’s got to figure out what kind of player he is as a hitter. There aren’t many guys that can hit it the other way like that.”
Vientos went 1-for-3 with 2 RBIs in the Mets’ dominating victory.
The team’s other young third baseman, Brett Batty, hit two more home runs on Wednesday at Triple-A Syracuse.
He has hit five home runs in his past seven games with Syracuse.
Batty also flourished in Triple-A a year ago, but that success didn’t translate to the majors, with Vientos losing out to the third base spot on Opening Day and then permanently recalled on May 15, where he has held the position ever since.
There is some good news coming in regarding right-handed pitcher Shintaro Fujinami, who remains on the 15-day disabled list with a right shoulder injury.
The pitcher pitched one scoreless inning in a rehab game against the New York Knicks’ Mets on Tuesday in Port St. Lucie, and Mendoza said the 30-year-old, who signed with the Mets as a free agent during the offseason, is expected to pitch at least one more time in the game.
Fujinami pitched quite well for the Orioles last season after a poor start to the season with Oakland.
He was recorded at 98 mph on Tuesday.
The Mets are 10-3 in their last 13 home games against the Yankees and are 15-6, an MLB-best mark, in June. … The Mets hit three home runs in three consecutive games for the first time this year.
Even though the Yankees had right-hander Luis Gil on the mound Wednesday, Mendoza opted to start Tyrone Taylor in right field with DJ Stewart and the recently recalled Ben Gamel, both left-handed pitchers.
Taylor rewarded Mendoza’s faith with a three-run homer in the sixth inning of the Mets’ big win.
Gill has been tough on both right-handed and left-handed batters this year.
Harrison Bader recorded his third consecutive multi-hit game with a double and a home run. He is 6-for-12 during that span with three doubles and two home runs.
Joe Hudson, who spent the weekend as the Mets’ backup catcher because Luis Torrens was on the paternity list, was designated for designated play and then sent directly to Triple-A Syracuse.
