The New York Mets had a brutal start to their three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays. On Friday night, the Mets blew a 5-1 lead in the top of the sixth in

NEW YORK - The Tampa Bay Rays scored six runs in the top of the sixth inning to spoil a solid outing from Clay Holmes and beat the New York Mets 7-5 at Citi Fie

The Mets looked like they were well on their way to a seventh straight victory as Clay Holmes left the mound. For the third time in his last four starts, the right-hander had allowed just one run. He exited the game after five innings of work with his team up 5-1. Then disaster ensued.

The Tampa Bay Rays were sloppy Friday night, issuing seven walks, hitting a batter and committing three errors that led to five unearned runs. But none of it mattered because an offense that has been on a roll since the middle of May stayed in recent form during a 7-5 win over the New York Mets.

NEW YORK - The Tampa Bay Rays acquired former top prospect Forrest Whitley for cash considerations on Friday afternoon, and manager Kevin Cash confirms that the

“They’re a very talented team,” said Rays manager Kevin Cash, noting, among strengths, the power provided by Tampa’s Pete Alonso, Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo.