Almost nothing has gone as planned for the Mets this season, which is how they ended up with Kodai Senga entering Friday’s game in the top of the ninth, trying to close out a win over Washington as Michael Jackson’s ”Beat It” blared over the Citi Field sound system.
The Mets right-hander, whose first three short-inning relief appearances came on the road, picked up the save with a scoreless inning in a 4-1 victory over the Nationals.
It was Senga’s fourth straight scoreless appearance as well as his second save.
With Devin Williams on the injured list due to a strained shoulder, interim manager Andy Green said Senga would get plenty of work out of the bullpen down the stretch.
“He’s done a good job,’’ Green said. “He’s attacked hitters [and] filled up the strike zone. He’ll continue to pitch in leverage situations.”
That could be in the eighth inning as well, depending on matchups, according to Green.
And Senga is doing his best to embrace the new role, which came after he repeatedly flopped as a starter following his standout rookie season.
“It’s easier to prepare when you know you’re going in later in the game,’’ Senga said through an interpreter. “You’re always physically and mentally prepared.”
One part of working as a reliever Senga has yet to do is throw on back-to-back days.
“I think I’m well prepared for it,’’ Senga said.
No one was prepared for the song choice, though, as the stadium darkened and the 1980s hit came on, with Senga running in from the bullpen with a three-run lead.
Senga said he chose it because he “heard it for the first time in a while and thought ‘That’s a great song.’ ”
Green approved of the choice and also was impressed again by Senga’s approach.
“I don’t see an ounce of fear,’’ Green said. “I see somebody attack the situation. That’s what you’re looking for.”
None of this is what the Mets had in mind when he signed a five-year, $75 million deal prior to the 2023 season.
At this point, they’ll take what they can get from the 33-year-old, and there is belief that his four-seam fastball/forkball mix may play out of the bullpen.
Green noted that Senga’s final pitch of the game, a forkball that Abimelec Ortiz swung over, was perfect.
Senga retired the first two batters he faced in the ninth before Jacob Young singled to right. He then hit CJ Abrams with a pitch to bring up the potential tying run in Ortiz before ending it.
The 33-year old had a 10.08 ERA after his last start as a member of the rotation on June 23, so nearly anything would be an improvement.
Considering his early success, it’s hardly a surprise to see Senga not shying away from his new job.
He acknowledged the adrenaline is “different’’ coming out of the pen and with another year and $15 million on his deal, Senga may have to get accustomed to it.
Mark Vientos (right hand fracture) is hitting, fielding and did agility drills on the field, but the Mets are not sure when he will start a rehab assignment.
Francisco Lindor continued his recent hot hitting with a homer that tied the game in the sixth, which helped make up for a third-inning error that led to an unearned run.
