NEW YORK, May 18 Kyodo - Kodai Senga struck out 12 over six commanding frames of one-run ball Wednesday before his New York Mets rallied late to walk off with an 8-7, 10-inning win against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Seiya Suzuki, meanwhile, homered twice in the Chicago Cubs's 7-6 loss to the Houston Astros. He became the first Japanese-born player to hit home runs in three straight plate appearances in MLB after hitting one in the ninth inning of the previous day's game, according to the Cubs.
Trailing 5-2 in the bottom of the ninth, the Mets tied it on Francisco Alvarez's three-run home run. The American League East-leading Rays went back up 7-5 in the top of the 10th before Pete Alonso clinched the walk-off win with a three-run blast in the home half of the inning.
Senga, who incurred his second MLB loss in his previous start, allowed just three hits and three walks. The Japanese right-hander left the mound at Citi Field with the Mets down 1-0 on Isaac Paredes' RBI ground-rule double in the fourth.
"While keeping in mind how strong the Rays' lineup was, I was able to attack them well," Senga said. "Being able to strike out so many batters is a real confidence boost."
The former SoftBank Hawks ace is 4-2 with a 3.77 ERA and 55 strikeouts over 43 innings through his eight starts.
At Minute Maid Park, Suzuki cleared the fence in the first and third innings against Houston's rookie starter J.P. France.
The 28-year-old Suzuki also drew two walks and reached base five times as he went 3-for-3 with three RBIs. He made it 3-0 to the Cubs with his solo shot to left field in the first and extended the lead to 5-1 with his two-run blast to left in the third.
The reigning World Series champion Astros eventually stormed back late, rallying for six runs over the final two innings and walking off on Kyle Tucker's two-RBI single.
At Petco Park, San Diego Padres starter Yu Darvish (2-3) was charged with his third loss after surrendering all four runs in a 4-3 Kansas City Royals victory.
The veteran right-hander struck out six while allowing six hits and a pair of walks over 5-1/3 innings. He entered the sixth inning with the game tied 1-1 before Vinnie Pasquantino's two-run home run ignited a Kansas City rally.
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