The New York Mets (45-25) saw their six-game win streak come to an end on Friday night at Citi Field, falling 7-5 to the Tampa Bay Rays (37-32) in a game defined by missed opportunities and a costly sixth inning.
Clay Holmes gave New York five solid innings, allowing just one run, a solo homer to Jonathan Aranda, on three hits while striking out three. But with only 79 pitches thrown, Holmes was lifted, and the bullpen couldn’t hold the line. Paul Blackburn and Max Kranick combined to give up six runs in the sixth, with Jake Mangum’s two-run single and Danny Jansen’s two-run homer doing most of the damage.
The Mets capitalized on Tampa Bay’s defensive miscues to take a 3-1 lead by the fifth. Starling Marte had his best night of the season, going 3-for-4 with three RBI, including a clutch two-out hit to extend the lead. But after falling behind, New York couldn’t cash in on multiple late-game chances.
They loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh, but Ronny Mauricio popped out to end the threat. In the eighth, Juan Soto came within feet of tying the game, crushing a 110 mph fly ball that died at the warning track. The Mets again brought the winning run to the plate in the ninth, but couldn’t break through.
New York went just 2-for-16 with runners in scoring position, stranding key chances throughout the night.
The Mets will look to bounce back Saturday when Tylor Megill faces Tampa Bay’s Drew Rasmussen at 4:10 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].