Mets blank Athletics as Kodai Senga goes seven strong innings

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On the day they faced one of their former favorites, Luis Severino, the Mets countered with one of the reasons they were so comfortable letting him go in free agency over the offseason: a healthy and excellent Kodai Senga.

Senga sparkled for seven innings in the Mets’ 8-0 win over the Athletics on Sunday, matching the longest scoreless outing of his major-league career.

He scattered four hits — none after the third inning — and two walks. Of his four strikeouts, two were of his final two batters.

If there was a moment in which Senga teetered, it was in the bottom of the third, when Max Muncy and Lawrence Butler opened with back-to-back singles. Facing Brent Rooker, Senga induced a ground ball to third base for a double play initiated by a sliding Brett Baty, who started at his natural position for the first time this season.

Severino was also effective but not as efficient, needing 28 pitches in the first inning and 27 in the fourth. The Mets didn’t break through, however, until the sixth, when Luis Torrens punched a single through the right side of the infield to bring in Pete Alonso (walk).

In 5 2/3 innings, Severino limited the Mets to that lone run plus four hits and three walks. He struck out six.

The Mets blew it open late by taking advantage of the Athletics’ poor pitching and bad defense. They scored two runs in the seventh, one in the eighth and four in the ninth.

Since dropping two of three to Houston to open the season, the Mets (10-5) have won four consecutive series.

Notes & quotes: Jose Siri (left shin bruise) might go on the injured list, Mendoza said. The Mets will have a better sense Monday, by which point it will be easier to call somebody up. Siri still was in major pain and using crutches early Sunday, a day after fouling a pitch into his leg . . . Francisco Alvarez (left hand surgery) caught an entire game Sunday for the first time since joining Low-A St. Lucie on a rehab assignment. He is due to join Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday.