MIAMI -- Kodai Senga struck out eight in his major league debut, wearing a glove with an image of a ghost and a pitchfork in reference to his "ghost forkball," leading the New York Mets over the Miami Marlins 5-1 Sunday.
The 30-year-old left-hander agreed to a $75 million, five-year contract after going 87-44 with a 2.59 ERA in 11 seasons with the Pacific League's Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. He overcame a difficult first inning and allowed one run, three hits and three walks in 5u2153 innings.
Senga averaged 96.8 mph with 32 fastballs -- the fastest 99 mph -- and threw 26 forkballs, 18 sweepers and 12 cutters.