Sean Manaea’s rocky first season with the Mets continued Wednesday, as the left-hander gave up just two runs, but didn’t make it through the fifth inning of a 12-3 win over the Yankees in The Bronx.
The lefty walked four batters in just 4 ²/₃ innings and forced an already overworked bullpen to throw another four-plus innings.
“The boys did incredibly well,’’ Manaea said of the lineup, which hit a season-high-tying five home runs.
![A frustrated Sean Manaea walks to the dugout after getting pulled from the game in the fifth inning of the Mets' 12-3 blowout win over the Yankees.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Sean-Manaea-1.jpg?w=1024)
That made up for Manaea, who gave up a leadoff homer to Gleyber Torres in the bottom of the first and a solo homer to Juan Soto in the third before he survived a pair of base runners in the fourth and then loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth.
Manaea, who needed 103 pitches to get that far, was replaced by Adam Ottavino and the right-hander got Anthony Volpe to hit into a force out.
Harrison Bader left the clubhouse Wednesday night with his right foot in a boot after suffering a right ankle injury in the ninth inning of Tuesday’s win.
Carlos Mendoza said Bader rolled the ankle when he attempted to steal third, but was picked off by Clay Holmes. “He woke up sore,’’ Mendoza said.
The manager added Bader underwent an MRI exam that revealed no structural damage and he is day-to-day.
Kodai Senga is scheduled to make his first start of the season on Friday against Atlanta, a long-awaited debut for the pitcher that was expected to be the team’s ace.
Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday “it feels really good” to get Senga back from the strained shoulder that’s sidelined him since the spring.
![Kodai Senga, throwing a bullpen session Tuesday at Yankee Stadium, is scheduled to make his season debut Friday night against the Braves.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Kodai-Senga-3.jpg?w=1024)
“Going into the year, we thought he was gonna be No. 1, right?” Mendoza said. “Then, early in spring training, he goes down and here we are in late July, and we’re finally getting him back. It’s good for him. He’ss anxious to get out there and help the team.”
And his presence should provide a boost for the entire team.
“They saw him last year,” Mendoza said. “He’s huge for us.”
Mendoza noted with a laugh that he has never seen Senga pitch live in a game — due to the injury in the spring and the fact Senga didn’t pitch against the Yankees a year ago.
“I’m excited to watch him pitch,’’ Mendoza said.
The Mets haven’t decided who will start Saturday against Atlanta, with Christian Scott out of the rotation.
Mendoza said Jose Butto, who has been very effective in the bullpen, is a possibility, depending on the pen’s needs before Saturday.
Sean Reid-Foley, on the IL with right shoulder impingement, won’t make a rehab appearance with Single-A Brooklyn Thursday, as originally scheduled.
The right-hander will instead throw live batting practice at Citi Field instead.
“His mechanics were a little off the last time he faced hitters,” Mendoza said of the switch.
If all goes well Thursday, Reid-Foley could pitch in Brooklyn on Sunday.
The Mets announced the signing of their first-round pick, Carson Benge.
The lefty-swinging outfielder was picked 19th overall out of Oklahoma State.
He will be sent to the FCL in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
In a statement, Vice President, Amateur Scouting Kris Gross called Benge “an incredibly athletic player who can impact the game in multiple facets.”
Benge also struck out 44 batters in 37 innings for Oklahoma State this past season as a sophomore.