Jul 5, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga (34) with catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) and shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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After Error Spoils Gem Outing, Kodai Senga Reminds Everyone Francisco Lindor ‘Has Always Been There’

A rare night for Francisco Lindor!

The New York Mets had a tough night in Miami, falling 4-2 to the Marlins on Tuesday. Despite a strong outing from Kodai Senga in just his second start since his impressive rookie campaign, costly defensive mistakes and a lackluster offense proved too much to overcome.

Kodai looking good, Lindor error really cost him in that inning #LGM pic.twitter.com/lWfIMYe4ve
— Courtside Commentary (@Courtsidecom) April 1, 2025

Senga, who struggled early but found his rhythm, held Miami to three hits over five innings, striking out eight. However, two unearned runs stemming from rare defensive missteps by Francisco Lindor ultimately tipped the scales in the Marlins’ favor.

Lindor, known for his reliability in the field, made two errors in the game, one of which led directly to Miami’s decisive runs in the fourth inning. Otto Lopez reached base on an error to start the frame, and after a two-out walk, Graham Pauley’s two-run double put the Marlins ahead for good.

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“It’s frustrating because my job is to make those plays,” Lindor said. “I saw both of them hit my glove. My focus was there, but I just missed them. It’s on me.”

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza acknowledged Lindor’s off night but didn’t dwell on it. “Very rare to see him with two errors in a game,” Mendoza said. “It happens; he’s human.”

Lindor did manage to break out of an 0-for-12 slump with an RBI single in the third, tying the game at 2-2. However, the Mets’ offense stalled from there, managing only five hits and failing to score again.

Kodai Senga’s has got Francisco Lindor’s back

After the game, Lindor apologized to Senga, but the Japanese right-hander was quick to take the blame on himself.

"Since the day I signed with this team, Lindor has always been there. Not just me but the whole team. When he makes a mistake, I need to be there to pick him up. It was my fault to make his errors be highlighted because of my poor performance"

– Kodai Senga on Francisco Lindor pic.twitter.com/0iOLMyJRec
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 2, 2025

“Since the day I joined this team, Lindor has always been there,” Senga said. “He supports me, he encourages everyone. When he makes a mistake, I need to be there to lift him up. His errors were only magnified because I didn’t pitch well enough to cover for them.”

Senga’s 77-pitch effort was in line with his workload from spring training, showing promise as he continues to build back up. The Mets, now needing a win on Wednesday to salvage a .500 road trip, will hope for a bounce-back performance from their defense, and a more productive night at the plate.

Francisco Lindor

Kodai Senga

Mets

New York Mets

Mohsin Baldiwala

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Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.