Mets reliever Kodai Senga records first save as rookie tosses souvenir ball away

Kodai Senga secured his first career save by pitching a scoreless ninth in the Mets' 8-5 victory over the Braves in Atlanta. Having shifted to a short-relief role this season, Senga was called upon after the team moved Devin Williams to the 15-day injured list. After the final out, rookie outfielder Carson Benge tossed the game ball into the stands, intending to give a fan a souvenir, but Senga had hoped to keep it as a memento.

Both Senga and catcher Francisco Alvarez attempted to retrieve the ball, while Benge realized his mistake and covered his head in embarrassment. Senga laughed and joked through an interpreter about the mishap. The Mets, currently at the bottom of the standings, are on a nine-game road trip following a major trade-deadline roster shake-up.