Mets' offense can't back up Kodai Senga's strong season debut in loss to Cardinals
Mets rookie Carson Benge reacts after striking out against the St. Louis Cardinals in the seventh inning on Tuesday in St Louis, Missouri. Credit: Getty Images/Dilip Vishwanat
St. Louis — Kodai Senga pitched well in his season-debut, but the Mets' managed only three hits in a 3-0 loss to the Cardinals at Busch Stadium Tuesday night. Senga, who accepted a demotion to the minor leagues late last season after a second half full of struggles, allowed two runs and four hits in six innings. He struck out nine and walked three. Senga, who was in the Cy Young conversation in the early part of 2025 before injuries derailed his season, struck out the side in the second and sixth.
Ramón Urías launched his first home run with the Cardinals and Andre Pallante combined with four relievers on a three-hitter for St. Lous. Iván Herrera had a two-run double in the third inning, and Urías drove Richard Lovelady’s second pitch over the left-center wall in the seventh.
Pallante (1-0) pitched five-plus innings, allowing three hits and three walks while striking out three. He was lifted for Gordon Graceffo in the sixth after giving up a double to Juan Soto and a walk to Bo Bichette to start the inning. Graceffo, recalled from Triple-A Memphis before the game, got Luis Robert Jr. to fly to center and Jared Young to line into a 6-3 double play. Former Met Ryne Stanek and JoJo Romero each worked an inning before Riley O’Brien pitched a perfect ninth for his first save this season.
JJ Wetherholt had two hits and scored a run. The rookie has reached safely in each of his first five major league games.
Soto had a pair of hits and has reached safely in all 40 career games against St. Louis. It is the longest streak to begin a career versus the Cardinals.
