ATLANTA (AP) \u2014 After earning his first career save, New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga wanted the ball as a keepsake.<\/p>\n
Whoops! <\/p>\n
Rookie teammate Carson Benge had already tossed it into the Atlanta crowd. <\/p>\n
Recently shifted to a short-relief role in his fourth major league season, Senga closed out New York’s 8-5 victory over the Braves<\/a> with a scoreless ninth inning Monday night. Mauricio Dub\u00f3n flied out to Benge in right field for the final out, and he turned toward the stands looking to send a fan home with a souvenir.<\/a><\/p>\n Senga, well aware of his achievement, held out his arms in disbelief with his mouth agape while watching the whole thing transpire. In a funny scene, he raised both hands trying to grab Benge’s attention as Senga and Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez both called for the baseball in vain.<\/p>\n A sheepish Benge, when he realized what happened, put both hands on his head \u2014 and Senga doubled over in laughter.<\/p>\n After the game, Senga was asked if Benge ever managed to retrieve the ball for him.<\/p>\n \u201cI think Bengie is trying to tell me I should have just punched him out,\u201d a smiling Senga said through an interpreter.<\/p>\n