Volatile Mets Drop Series to Marlins as Kodai Senga’s Struggles Continue

The New York Mets lost 5-1 to the Miami Marlins on Sunday, dropping three of four at Citi Field as starter Kodai Senga surrendered key runs and drew boos from a sellout crowd.

The Mets, who had appeared to be surging after a sweep of the first-place Philadelphia Phillies last week, were handed a setback Sunday when the Marlins completed a three-of-four series victory with a 5-1 win at Citi Field. New York starter Kodai Senga, dominant at times during the outing, surrendered multiple runs in the fourth inning and was booed by the sellout crowd of 43,302 fans as the game slipped away.

Senga struck out the side in the second inning but allowed what proved to be decisive runs in the fourth. The offense, which had exploded for a franchise-record 19 runs in Friday’s game, was limited to a single run Sunday. The result capped a difficult weekend for the Mets, who have shown pronounced swings in performance this season.

Senga’s outing illustrated the Mets’ recurring volatility. After a crisp start that included a second-inning strikeout of the side, Senga yielded multiple hits and runs in the fourth inning. He was charged with at least four runs by that point, prompting audible displeasure from the Citi Field crowd. The Marlins’ offense, not regarded as a contender this season and carrying a combined payroll reportedly less than the single-season salary of Mets outfielder Juan Soto, manufactured the runs needed to take the contest.

The game served as another example of a franchise that has swung between potent offense and puzzling droughts. In a recent month when New York set a franchise home run mark and averaged the most runs per game in the majors, the team also outscored opponents by 21 yet compiled an 11-17 record. Over the first five months of the season, the Mets have combined moments of dominance with stretches of underperformance, producing a 73-64 record that has frequently provoked both enthusiasm and frustration among the fan base.

Miami’s victory Sunday completed a stretch in which the Marlins won three of four games at Citi Field, a notable result given their position outside playoff contention. The Marlins’ approach relied on opportunistic hitting and timely pitching to neutralize New York’s lineup, which had shown its capacity for big innings but also its susceptibility to extended slumps.

New York’s offense, spectacular on Friday, managed only one run on Sunday. The contrast between the two performances—19 runs in one game and one in the next—underscored the Mets’ inability to sustain production on a consistent basis. That inconsistency has been a theme throughout the season, as the team alternates between stretches of offensive firepower and games of limited run support that leave pitchers vulnerable.

The Mets’ bullpen and starting rotation have both experienced uneven stretches. Senga, who has been a frontline starter for the club, has had outings that ranged from dominant to disappointing. Sunday's game added to questions about whether he can maintain the level of performance New York needs during the pennant race. The audible reaction from the Citi Field crowd reflected mounting impatience as the calendar moves deeper into the season and postseason positioning gains urgency.

Managerial decisions, lineup construction and bullpen usage remain focal points for the Mets as they attempt to smooth out fluctuations in performance. New York’s front office and coaching staff will have to weigh short-term moves to stabilize results with longer-term strategies to sustain a postseason push. The club’s recent streaks—both hot and cold—have produced frustration among fans, visible in the sellout crowd’s reaction Sunday.

Looking ahead, the Mets will aim to regroup after the weekend sweep loss and return to more consistent play. The team has already demonstrated the potential to score prolifically and to compete with top teams; the challenge is limiting the extended offensive droughts and tightening up pitching performances so strong starts like those Senga has shown at times can be converted into wins.

Sources

• https://nypost.com/2025/08/31/sports/volatile-mets-drop-series-to-marlins-after-kodai-sengas-latest-dud/