The Mets (62-76) took down the Rays (82-55) in a hard-fought game, by a score of 3-2, on Monday evening at Tropicana Field. New York narrowly held off a late Tampa Bay rally, riding a strong start from Robert Stock and a solo homer from Mark Vientos in his return from the injured list.

(Box Score)

Robert Stock (1-3) got the start for New York and was excellent, working 5 and 2/3 innings without allowing a run, scattering five hits and earning the win. New York got the game’s first run across in the fourth, when Bo Bichette doubled, moved to third on a Carson Benge single, and scored on a Mark Vientos double-play ball to make it 1-0.

Vientos made it 2-0 himself in the seventh with a solo home run, for his 12th of the season. New York tacked on an insurance run later in the inning when pinch-runner Cristian Pache scored on a Francisco Alvarez RBI single, making it 3-0.

Nate Lavender and Dedniel Núñez combined for two more scoreless innings out of the bullpen, but Tampa Bay came alive in the eighth against Daniel Duarte. A leadoff single, a walk, and back-to-back RBI singles from Liam Hicks and Chandler Simpson cut the lead to 3-2 before Chris Devenski came on and got the Rays’ Cedric Mullins to ground out to end the threat.

New York couldn’t add on in the ninth. Cristian Pache and A.J. Ewing both singled to put runners in scoring position with two outs, but Juan Soto struck out to end the threat.

Kodai Senga came on for the save and walked the first batter he faced before putting his next three down in order, sealing the 3-2 win and earning the save.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Mark Vientos earns Monday’s honor, delivering the go-ahead solo homer in his first game back from the injured list.

ON DECK 

Sean Manaea (4-6, 4.55 ERA) will get the start for New York on Tuesday. In his last outing vs. the Brewers, the starter allowed six runs on eight hits over five and 2/3 innings pitched, walking one and striking out three.

Freddy Peralta (6-11, 5.11 ERA) will take the mound for the Rays. In his last time out against the Tigers, he tossed six shutout innings, allowing just two hits and striking out four.

First pitch for game two is set for 6:40 PM EST on SNY.