Mets at Rays
New York Mets manager Terry Collins said his team was “angry” after
losing Sunday and being swept in Yankee Stadium by the New York Yankees
for the first time since 2003. His mood isn’t likely to improve when he
starts preparing for Tuesday’s opponent, the Tampa Bay Rays. While the
Mets have lost six of seven, the Rays are coming off a three-game sweep
of Miami when they outscored the Marlins 22-7.
Tampa Bay, which is tied for first in the American League East with the New York Yankees after recording its fifth sweep this season, is
20-17 without third baseman Evan Longoria (hamstring), who could begin a
rehab assignment later this week. Tampa Bay has scored 29 runs during
its four-game winning streak, while the Mets scored only seven runs
during its three games against the Yankees. Mets outfielder Jason Bay is
0-for-11 since returning from the disabled list Saturday, and is
batting .197 with five RBIs.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), Sun Sports (Tampa Bay)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Chris Young (0-0, 3.60 ERA) vs. Rays RH Alex Cobb (2-2, 4.12)
Young
made his season debut last Tuesday after recovering from shoulder
surgery, giving up three runs over five innings against Washington.
Young, who was making his first start since May 1, 2001, has faced the
Rays only once in his career back in 2005.
Cobb is making his
fifth start of the season after being recalled from Triple-A Durham on
May 19 to take injured Jeff Niemann’s place in the rotation. He worked
into the eighth inning for the first time of his career Wednesday
against the Yankees, giving up four runs.
WALK-OFFS
1. Outfielder Scott Hairston doubled Sunday to give the Mets a team-record streak of 33 straight games with a double.
2. The Rays are 51-2 in their last 53 games when they score five or more runs dating back to last July 28.
3. The Mets are 11-4 when center fielder Andres Torres scores a run.