\u201c(The sweep was) very good for us. We\u2019re not going to get intimidated by any team,\u201d said first baseman Jonathan Aranda<\/a> via team interpreter Eddie Rodriguez. \u201cWe demonstrated pretty much during this series the kind of team that we are, and that\u2019s what it\u2019s all about. … <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re always in the fight, and we\u2019re wanting more.\u201d<\/p>\n The Rays moved to a season-high seven games over .500 at 39-32. They won for the ninth time in their last 12 games, and 20th in 29. They improved their majors-best record since May 20 to 18-6, with a slew of stats, headlined by a plus-72 run differential, that shows why.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re playing good baseball,\u201d manager Kevin Cash said. \u201cVery encouraged by the way that we played offense, defense, pitching. Certainly to do that against this quality Mets team, everything\u2019s got to go right, and felt like it did for the most part.\u201d<\/p>\n In all three wins, the Rays showed a diverse and creative offense <\/a>that could produce runs in a variety of ways, paired with strong and at times dominant pitching.<\/p>\n \u201cWe lost some close ones in Fenway to lose that series (versus the Red Sox), and just to follow that up in the second half of the road trip and sweep one of the best teams in the league, that\u2019s a big, big thing for us,\u201d outfielder Jake Mangum said. \u201cWe did it in so many different ways. We put up nine runs (Sunday). A shutout by the pitching staff. Defense was good. Just a lot of different ways we won all three games here this weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter<\/p>\n We\u2019ll send you news and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays and Florida\u2019s college football teams every day.<\/p>\n You\u2019re all signed\u00a0up!<\/p>\n Want more of our free, weekly newsletters\u00a0in\u00a0your\u00a0inbox? Let\u2019s\u00a0get\u00a0started.<\/p>\n Explore all your options<\/a><\/p>\n Sunday, they scored three runs in the second with only one hit that reached the outfield, cobbling a rally with two walks, a well-placed bunt by Jose Caballero, a run-scoring groundout, a wild pitch and a hard single by Danny Jansen.<\/p>\n They added one in the third thanks to Aranda moving a runner and Mangum beating out the back end of a potential double play. They got two in the fifth with two walks and an Aranda double. And they capped the day with a three-run homer by Junior Caminero.<\/p>\n \u201cNo doubt, a versatile group,\u201d Jansen said. \u201cGuys can run. We\u2019re not afraid to get a situation to bunt and get it down. And also guys can hit balls out of the ballpark. So it\u2019s always fun to get some runs different ways. … I think that just speaks to the athleticism and the group of guys here.\u201d<\/p>\n Shane Baz did his part by delivering a strong start, holding the mighty Mets to three hits while working into the seventh. But he said the hitters deserve some credit for the success he and the others have had on the mound.<\/p>\n \u201cOur offense has been unreal,\u201d Baz said. \u201cWe know our defense is always there, and just the way the offense has been going, it\u2019s like we\u2019re getting six, seven, nine runs a game, and that just makes the pitcher\u2019s job a lot easier. <\/p>\n \u201cHaving a 4-0 lead in the third inning, it\u2019s always nice to have that lead, and it kind of opens you up to pitch a little more freely, and you know if you give up one run you\u2019re all right.\u201d<\/p>\n Baz did pretty well as it was, allowing only three singles and escaping the one jam he had, facing Mets slugger Pete Alonso, the Tampa native, with the bases loaded in the third and behind in the count 3-1.<\/p>\n Baz threw one fastball at 96.8 that Alonso swung through, then he pumped it up to 99.2 for a foul-tipped strike three.<\/p>\n \u201cI was going to let it all out right there,\u201d Baz said. \u201cI wasn\u2019t going to hold back or try and be too perfect. I was just going to throw a fastball. So, yeah, it worked out.\u201d<\/p>\n Kind of like the weekend did for the Rays, stepping onto the big stage and showing they very much belong.<\/p>\n Yes, it\u2019s only mid-June, and the season is not even yet half over. Most of the Rays said it\u2019s too early to be looking at the standings, and their focus is only on the Orioles, who they host for a four-game series starting Monday.<\/p>\n But Aranda, at least, acknowledged they do have their eye on bigger prizes.<\/p>\n Already holding the top American League wild-card spot, the Rays on Sunday moved within 3 \u00bd games of the AL East-leading Yankees.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are on top of our division, so there\u2019s a rivalry there,\u201d Aranda said. \u201cWe are coming to get that No. 1 spot from them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2022 \u2022 \u2022<\/p>\n Sign up for our Sports Today newsletter<\/a> to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.<\/p>\n Every weekday, tune into our Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast<\/a> to hear reporter Rick Stroud break down the biggest stories in Tampa Bay sports.<\/p>\n Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on X<\/a> and Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\nBrandon Lowe, left, and Josh Lowe high-five as the Rays win for the ninth time in 12 games. [\u00a0PAMELA SMITH | AP\u00a0]<\/p>\n
The Rays’ Kameron Misner runs home to score on a single hit by Danny Jansen during the second inning. [\u00a0PAMELA SMITH | AP\u00a0]Stay updated on Tampa Bay\u2019s sports scene<\/p>\n
The Mets’ Pete Alonso, a Tampa native, reacts after Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe throws to first baseman Jonathan Aranda to put him out during the sixth inning. [\u00a0PAMELA SMITH | AP\u00a0]<\/p>\n