Sean Manaea’s inconsistent first season with the Mets continued on Wednesday as the left-hander allowed just two runs but couldn’t complete five innings in a 12-3 win over the Yankees in the Bronx.
The left-hander walked four batters in just 4 2/3 innings, forcing his already overworked relief pitchers to pitch four more innings.
“The guys did an unbelievable job,” manager Manaea said of the team, which hit a season-high five home runs.
Thanks to his performance, Manaea gave up a leadoff home run to Gleyber Torres in the bottom of the first inning and a solo home run to Juan Soto in the third inning, but he managed to get through two runners in the fourth inning and had a chance with the bases loaded with two outs in the fifth inning.
Manaea, who had thrown 103 pitches, was replaced by Adam Ottavino, and the right-hander forced out Anthony Volpe.
Harrison Bader injured his right ankle in the bottom of the ninth inning of Tuesday’s win and left the clubhouse Wednesday night with a boot on his right foot.
Carlos Mendoza said Bader twisted his ankle after being stabbed by Clay Holmes while trying to steal third base. “He woke up in pain,” Mendoza said.
The coach added that Bader underwent an MRI scan which showed no structural damage and that he is making progress day by day.
Kodai Senga is scheduled to make his first start of the season on Friday against Atlanta, a long-awaited debut for the pitcher who was expected to be the team’s ace.
Coach Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday that Senga is “feeling really good” in his return from a shoulder strain that has sidelined him since the spring.
“Coming into the year, we thought he was going to be the No. 1, right?,” Mendoza said. “But he got injured at the beginning of spring training and finally came back in late July. Good for him. He’s eager to go out there and help the team.”
And his presence should give a boost to the whole team.
“They saw him last year,” Mendoza said, “and he’s very important to us.”
Mendoza laughed and said he’d never seen Senga pitch in a game, due to an injury this spring and the fact that Senga didn’t pitch against the Yankees a year ago.
“I’m excited to see him pitch,” Mendoza said.
The Mets have yet to decide on a starter for Saturday’s game against Atlanta, with Christian Scott out of the starting rotation.
Mendoza said it would depend on what the relief pitchers need through Saturday, but that Jose Butt, who has been very effective in relief, could be used.
Sean Reid-Foley, who is on the disabled list with a right shoulder impingement, will not play in Thursday’s rehab game at Single-A Brooklyn as originally scheduled.
The right-hander will instead take practice batting practice at Citi Field.
“His motion was a little off the last time he faced a batter,” Mendoza said of the change.
If all goes well on Thursday, Reid Foley could pitch on Sunday in Brooklyn.
The Mets announced the signing of first-round draft pick Carson Benge.
The left-handed outfielder was selected 19th overall out of Oklahoma State University.
He will be sent to FCL in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
In a statement, Chris Gross, vice president of amateur scouting, described Benge as “an incredibly athletic player who can impact the game in a variety of ways.”
Benge struck out 44 batters in 37 innings as a sophomore at Oklahoma State last season.
