Mets takeaways from Wednesday's 5-2 loss to Brewers, including Kodai Senga's improved start on normal rest

The Mets fell to the Brewers 5-2 in the third game of a four-game set despite five solid innings from Kodai Senga. 

Here are the takeaways...

1. Kodai Senga got the ball for New York on regular rest for just the second time this season. This time around, Senga gave up two runs in the first inning. After two strikeouts, Jesse Winker hit a double to left-center to plate a pair for Milwaukee.

Senga did miss bats early on with four swinging strikeouts in the first two innings. The right-hander also escaped trouble in the third when he fired a 97 mile-per-hour fastball past Brian Anderson to strand the bases loaded.

Senga did not allow a run after the first inning, getting through the fifth with a one-two-three inning after 102 pitches and eight strikeouts. Senga also limited his walks to two after putting five batters on in his first start on normal rest back on June 4.

2. Wade Miley took the mound for Milwaukee. The veteran left-hander in his second stint with Milwaukee retired the side in order in the first inning. An inning later, the Mets got on the board when Tommy Pham drilled a solo home run off the façade of the second deck in left field.

Miley posted another one-two-three inning in the third but faced an uphill battle as the Mets loaded the bases to start the fourth inning. Francisco Alvarez walked to tie the game before Brett Baty struck out looking. Milwaukee salvaged the inning to keep the game tied when Mark Canha grounded into an inning-ending double play.

3. Grant Hartwig relieved Senga to begin the sixth inning. The Brewers quickly went to work to regain the lead on an RBI single off the end of the bat from Blake Perkins to score Owen Miller. After recording four outs, Brooks Raley followed Hartwig and got his first out with a third-strike pitch clock violation of Rowdy Tellez, who did not make eye contact at eight seconds on the clock.

4. After Danny Mendick got the start at second base, Jeff McNeil pinch-hit for him in the seventh inning. McNeil grounded into a fielder’s choice and was stranded as the Brewers kept a 3-2 lead.

5. Adam Ottavino followed Raley in the eighth inning to keep the Mets within striking distance. With two runners on, Ottavino hit Joey Weimer on the hand on a pitch where Weimer’s bat came through the zone but crew chief Ron Kulpa ruled no swing on a judgement call.

With the bases loaded, Christian Yelich took advantage with a two-run single to deliver Milwaukee a pair of insurance runs.

After the play, Buck Showalter came onto the field to argue with Kulpa about the no-swing call and was ejected from the game.

T.J. McFarland tossed a scoreless ninth inning to send the Mets to the plate for their final opportunity. Daniel Vogelbach pinch-hit for Canha and grounded out as Devin Williams delivered a perfect ninth inning as the Brewers locked in a 5-2 victory.

Highlights

What's Next

The Mets wrap up their four-game series against the Brewers at Citi Field on Thursday night. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m.