The Tampa Bay Rays (22-19) defeated the New York Mets (18-15) 12-5 on Saturday afternoon. The victory gives Tampa Bay a series win over the Mets.
The Rays got an unearned run in the first inning to take an early lead, but the Mets rallied early. Jose Peraza hit a three-run homer in the second, and Tampa native Pete Alonso hit a solo homer in the third, to give New York an early 4-1 lead.
The Tampa Bay offense answered in a big way, as they came up with five runs in the fourth inning - Manuel Margot, Willy Adames, Austin Meadows and Randy Arozarena all came up with run scoring hits. After Francisco Lindor homered for the Mets in the top of the eighth to pull within 6-4, the Rays exploded with a six-run bottom of the eighth inning to put the game away.
Joey Wendle went 4-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored - the Rays also got brilliant offensive performances from Randy Arozerena, who went 3-for-5 with an RBI, and Yandy Diaz who went 3-for-4 with two RBIs.
The victory gave Shane McClanahan (1-0, 4.67) his first major league win. He allowed four earned runs in five and a third innings on six hits while striking out seven and walking one.
The Rays now look to sweep the Mets on Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 PM - pregame coverage begins with Neil Solondz and This Week In Rays Baseball at 11:30 AM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES