The New York Mets grabbed a series win Wednesday night, using a pair of big innings and a strong finish from the bullpen to beat the Rays, 10-4.
ORANGE GAME WEEK: Syracuse football begins new season against New Hampshire Saturday (preview) New York (63-77) jumped on Griffin Jax immediately, putting together a three-run first inning. Jared Young opened the scoring with an RBI single before a throwing error by Tampa Bay catcher Liam Hicks allowed Carson Benge to score. Marcus Semien then doubled down the left-field line to bring Young home and give the Mets an early cushion.
The Mets added three more runs in the third. After A.J. Ewing reached on an infield single and the bases were loaded, Brett Baty drove a ball off the top of the wall in left-center field for a three-run double. The hit ended Jax’s outing and gave New York a six-run lead.
Justin Hagenman made his first major league appearance of the season and worked three innings in his start. The right-hander allowed two hits and one earned run, walked one and struck out two while throwing 46 pitches.
Tampa Bay trimmed the deficit against Chris Devenski, who surrendered three runs in the fourth inning, including a two-run homer by Richie Palacios. Dedniel Núñez entered with a runner in scoring position and kept the Mets ahead.
New York put the game away in the seventh. Bo Bichette doubled to begin the inning, and Nick Morabito followed with his first major league hit, a three-run double into the left-field corner. Morabito added another hit in the ninth.
Juan Soto capped the scoring with his 23rd home run of the season. Nate Lavender, Daniel Duarte, and Jonathan Pintaro combined to keep Tampa Bay off the board over the final three innings.
The Mets head to San Francisco for a three-game series against the Giants beginning Friday at 7:10 p.m. Nolan McLean is scheduled to start for New York.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.