NEW YORK — The Rays made it a clean sweep of the previously major-league-best Mets on Sunday, rolling to a 9-0 victory.
A three-run second inning that included one hit out of the infield, a two-run double by Jonathan Aranda and a three-run homer by Junior Caminero provided most of the offense. And Shane Baz pitched strongly into the seventh, allowing only three hits before turning it over to the bullpen.
The Rays improved to 39-32, moving a season-high seven games over .500 in winning for the ninth time in 12 games and 20th in 29. Their 18-6 record since May 20 is the best in the majors.
They became the first team this season to sweep the Mets, who entered the series with a majors-best 45-24 record. It also marked the first time in Rays franchise history (not counting the abbreviated 2020 season) that they swept the team with the majors’ best record in June or later on the road, and the fourth time overall.
Sunday was the third straight game they put together a multi-run inning. Friday they had a six-run sixth inning. Saturday, a five-run fourth.
The second-inning rally Sunday started with walks by Jonathan Aranda and Jake Mangum off Mets starter Griffin Canning. Jose Caballero dropped a well-placed bunt that loaded the bases.
Kameron Misner put the ball in play with a grounder to second that scored Aranda, but forced out Caballero. With Danny Jansen showing bunt, Canning’s pitch soared at his head and then to the backstop, allowing Mangum to score.
Jansen then got his revenge, lacing a hard single to left that scored Misner.
The Rays added a run in the third when Caminero walked with one out, went to third on Aranda’s single and scored when Jake Mangum grounded to shortstop but beat the throw to first for what would have been a double play.
The Rays scored two more in the fifth and chased Canning.
Josh Lowe drew a leadoff walk, and Caminero did the same with one out, the fifth of the day issued by Canning.
Aranda, making a strong bid for All-Star status, welcomed reliever Max Kranick by lacing a double to right that scored both to make it 6-0.
Caminero, who snapped an 0-for-17 skid with a homer Saturday, went deep in the in the ninth Sunday, his 17th homer of the season.
Baz allowed just three singles, along with four walks, while striking out six. His biggest threat came in the third inning when he walked Juan Soto to load the bases with two outs, then struck out dangerous Pete Alonso on a 3-2 pitch with a 99.2-mph fastball.
Baz has allowed three or fewer runs in his last five starts, and the Rays have won them all.
Monday: vs. Orioles
7:35, Steinbrenner Field, Tampa
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Pitchers: Rays — RH Ryan Pepiot (3-6, 3.31); Orioles — RH Zach Eflin (6-2, 4.08)
TV/radio: FanDuel Sports Sun; 95.3-FM, 620-AM, 106.7-FM (Spanish)
Info: raysbaseball.com
On deck
Tuesday: vs. Orioles, 7:35. Rays, RH Zack Littell (6-6, 3.84); Orioles, RH Dean Kremer (5-6. 4.98)
Wednesday: vs. Orioles, 7:35. Rays, RH Taj Bradley (4-5, 4.35); Orioles, TBD
Thursday: vs. Orioles, 7:35. Rays, RH Drew Rasmussen (6-4, 2.55); Orioles, RH Charlie Morton (2-7, 6.59)
Friday: vs. Tigers, 7:05. Rays, RH Shane Baz (6-3, 4.54); Tigers, TBA
Saturday: vs. Tigers, 12:10. RH Ryan Pepiot (3-6, 3.31)’ Tigers, TBA
Sunday: vs. Tigers, 12:10, RH Zack Littell (6-6, 3.84); Tigers, TBA