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Fresh off of the comeback win on Wednesday night, the New York Mets (22-23) were looking to win their first series in about a month on Thursday afternoon. Thanks to another home run from Pete Alonso, a solid start from Tylor Megill, and the bullpen doing its job, the Mets were able to take the rubber game from the Tampa Bay Rays (32-13), 3-2.

The Rays were able to strike first in the top of the first against righty Tylor Megill (5-2, 3.88 ERA). Megill got in trouble immediately as he allowed a leadoff double to Josh Lowe and an infield single to Randy Arozarena. However, he was able to limit the damage to one run via a Harold Ramírez RBI groundout.

Like last night, the Mets were able to bounce back and not trail for too long. Against Rays’ starter, right-hander Taj Bradley, Francisco Lindor drew a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Then, Jeff McNeil had heads-up baserunning and advanced to second on a single due to the throw into the infield coming in late.

After a Pete Alonso walk loaded the bases, Brett Baty hit a groundball to first, where Luke Raley got the out first rather than trying for the double play, which allowed New York to tie the game at one. Even though Tommy Pham struck out to end the inning, the Mets at least got one run out of it.

Then, in the fourth, Alonso struck again with his power as he crushed a solo shot to dead center field. Alonso’s 16th home run of the season and his third in the last three games put the Mets ahead, 2-1.

Bradley did not have his best stuff, but he only allowed the Mets to score two runs. He went five innings, allowed two runs on three hits, walked two, and struck out four on 86 pitches (51 strikes).

Megill ended up keeping the Rays lineup in check after the first inning, and he was able to get seven groundball outs in his start. Tampa did rally to tie the game at two in the sixth, thanks to a Lowe home run. With that being said, it was a quality start for the right-hander. He went six innings, allowed two runs on four hits, walked a batter, and struck out four on 79 pitches (48 strikes) in the win.

With the score tied at two in the sixth, the Mets were able to re-take the lead against righty Zack Littell (0-1, 7.20). Singles by McNeil and Baty gave New York runners on the corners with one out. Then, Pham delivered an infield single to third that gave New York a 3-2 lead.

Brooks Raley came in after Megill and threw a 1-2-3 seventh. In the eighth, Raley allowed a leadoff single to pinch-hitter Wander Franco. Buck Showalter decided to go to Jeff Brigham to face right-handed hitting Christian Bethancourt. He got Bethancourt to pop out, and then Manuel Margot hit into an inning-ending 6-3 double play.

David Robertson did allow a one-out double to Arozarena in the ninth, but he was able to get out of trouble thanks to groundouts by Ramírez and Brandon Lowe to secure his eighth save of the year. His ERA is now lowered to 0.95.

In the win, McNeil and Pham each recorded multi-hit games. For Pham, it was his first multi-hit game since May 3. McNeil is currently on a four-game hit streak, and he has recorded at least one hit in five of his last six games.

Player of the Game

Alonso is today’s player of the game. He drew a key walk against Bradley in the first and crushed the home run that broke a 1-1 tie in the fourth. In 18 games this month, Alonso has six home runs and 12 RBIs to go with a .842 OPS.

 On Deck

The Mets will continue their homestand on Friday when they begin a three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians (19-23). You can catch the game on SNY at 7:10 PM ET. Right-hander Carlos Carrasco (0-2, 8.56 ERA) returns to the rotation against his former team, and he will go up against righty Cal Quantrill (2-2, 3.97) for Cleveland.