In a tightly contested game at Tropicana Field, the New York Mets halted their recent slump with a 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night. Starting pitcher Robert Stock delivered a career‑best performance, throwing 5 1/3 scoreless innings and securing his first major‑league win since 2019.

Key moments

Stock (1‑3) allowed just five hits, struck out four batters and issued no walks. He navigated a bases‑loaded, no‑out jam in the fifth inning, preserving the Mets’ lead. The veteran’s effort marked his third career win and his first as a starter.

Off the mound, the Mets’ offense was sparked by Mark Vientos, who homered in his return from the injured list and added a solo shot in the seventh inning. Francisco Alvarez contributed an RBI single, while Liam Hicks and Chandler Simpson each delivered RBI singles in the eighth to keep the Rays within striking distance.

Defensively, left fielder Christopher Morel made two crucial plays: a leaping catch of Jonathan Aranda’s line drive in the fifth and a throw that caught Simpson attempting to stretch a single into a double in the sixth.

Rays’ response

Tampa Bay, the American League’s best‑record team at 82‑55, fought back with runs in the fifth and eighth innings, narrowing the gap to 3‑2. Rays starter Ian Seymour (9‑6) allowed three runs over 6 1/3 innings while striking out 10. Junior Caminero extended his hitting streak to 13 games, and the Rays loaded the bases in the fifth before Morel’s defensive heroics halted further damage.

Kodai Senga closed the game for the Mets, recording his fifth save by retiring the side in the ninth inning.

Implications

The win ends the Mets’ eight‑game losing streak at Tropicana Field and improves their standing in the National League East, offering a morale boost as they continue their season.

Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.