NEW YORK (AP) — Isaac Paredes homered twice and drove in five runs, ruining Justin Verlander's home debut for the New York Mets as the Tampa Bay Rays rolled to an 8-5 victory Tuesday night.
Jose Siri also went deep and Harold Ramírez had two RBI singles among his three hits for the Rays, who improved the best record in baseball to 32-11. Yonny Chirinos (2-1) got 14 outs in relief after opener Jalen Beeks tossed two scoreless innings.
New York trailed 6-0 before Brett Baty homered and Pete Alonso launched a two-run shot. Pinch-hitter Eduardo Escobar connected for a two-run homer in the ninth off Jake Diekman.
The 40-year-old Verlander (1-2) served up both long balls to Paredes and was tagged for six runs on eight hits over five innings in his third start for the staggering Mets.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner was originally scheduled to start the home opener in early April but began the season on the injured list with a strained muscle in his upper back. He returned May 4 and made his first two starts for New York on the road.
With a major league-record $355 million payroll, New York (20-23) fell to 6-16 since a 14-7 start and dropped three games below .500 for the first time since finishing 77-85 in 2021.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Rays: 1B Yandy Díaz sat out after leaving Sunday's win at Yankee Stadium in the first inning with left groin tightness. Results of an MRI were encouraging, and the team hopes Díaz can return to action within the next few days. Ramírez replaced Díaz at first base and in the leadoff spot.
Mets: RHP Carlos Carrasco is expected to come off the injured list and start Friday night against Cleveland, his former team. Carrasco (0-2, 8.56 ERA) has been sidelined since April 16 with right elbow inflammation and a bone spur. ... C Omar Narváez (left calf strain) is on target to begin playing minor league rehab games at the end of next week. ... RHP Jimmy Yacabonis (strained left quadriceps) was sent on a rehab assignment with Double-A Binghamton.
UP NEXT
Mets rookie Kodai Senga (4-2, 4.14 ERA) was scheduled to start the middle game of the series Wednesday night. LHP Josh Fleming (0-0, 4.26) is expected to pitch for Tampa Bay, whether as an opener or bulk reliever.
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