The New York Mets rolled into St. Petersburg hoping to snag an away series win against the Rays on Wednesday night, and man, did they ever start with a bang. Fresh off the 60-day injured list, Justin Hagenman was back on the mound for the Mets, facing off against Griffin Jax, who was also returning from the IL for the Rays. The Mets wasted no time, blowing up in the top of the first. With two outs and runners on first and second, Jared Young smacked a single to right, scoring Bo Bichette. Then Liam Hicks fumbled the throw at the plate, letting the ball get away, and Carson Benge sprinted home while Young hustled to second. Marcus Semien kept the train rolling with a double, driving in Young for the Mets’ third run. A.J. Ewing grounded out to finally end the inning, but the Mets had already built a nice, comfortable lead.
Mets Keep Piling It On, Rays Pitcher Out Early
After a quiet second inning, the Mets’ bats ignited *again* in the third. Bichette led off with a single, then swiped second after two quick outs. Semien walked, and Ewing dropped an infield single to load the bases. That’s when Brett Baty stepped up and absolutely mashed a double off the left field wall, missing a grand slam by mere feet, but still driving in three runs to totally double the Mets’ lead. That monster hit wasn’t just about runs, either. It kicked Rays starter Griffin Jax right out of the game in less than three full innings! Steven Matz had to come in to try and stop the bleeding for Tampa Bay. Hagenman, meanwhile, finished his night after three innings, giving up just one run on two hits and a walk, with a couple of strikeouts. Not a bad return at all!
Tampa Bay Fights Back, Mets Survive Fourth Inning Nightmare
The Rays weren’t going down without a fight, though, and they started clawing back in the bottom of the third. With two outs, a walk and a single put two on, and Jonathan Aranda delivered an RBI single to score Taylor Walls for the Rays’ first run. The real wildness hit in the bottom of the fourth when Chris Devenski came in and had a rough go. After a Chandler Simpson single, a pickoff attempt went sideways when Devenski balked, allowing Simpson to advance anyway. Cedric Mullins then singled, driving in Simpson, and Benge’s throwing error let Mullins reach second. Richie Palacios then absolutely CRUSHED a two-run homer, bringing the Rays within two runs. A Taylor Walls double was the end of the line for Devenski, who gave up three runs in just 0.2 innings. Dedniel Núñez came in to get the final out, helping the Mets escape that nightmare fourth. Núñez actually pitched 1.1 hitless innings with a strikeout, helping the Mets steady the ship and reach the seventh, where the offense exploded once again, led off by Bichette.
The Mets survived a chaotic fourth inning, proving their offense has some serious horsepower. They were still pouring it on deep into the game, showing they’re hungry for that series win. You gotta wonder if they can keep that fire lit in the next one!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Amazin’ Avenue.
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