The most surprising fact from Wednesday night isn’t the final score or the home runs. It is that rookie Nick Morabito, who entered the game as a pinch runner, delivered his very first major league hit as a three-run double. This single swing turned a two-run lead into a commanding nine-run advantage against the Tampa Bay Rays, a feat that rarely happens on a player’s first major league hit.
The Rookie Who Changed the Game
Morabito had started his big league career hitless in his first 12 at-bats, a rough stretch for any young player. Yet during the seventh inning, facing two outs and a loaded base situation, he drove a 2-2 offering from Manuel RodrÃguez along the left-field line. According to reports, this moment flipped the script completely, giving the Mets a 9-4 lead and silencing the Rays’ hopes of a comeback.
His contribution didn’t stop at the plate. In the eighth inning, Victor Mesa Jr. A sinking fly ball toward left field was pursued by Morabito, who executed a diving grab to conclude the frame. This defensive gem showcased the two-way impact a rookie can have when the pressure is highest. He later added a single in the ninth, proving his first hit was no fluke but a sign of things to come.
Mets Offense Finds Its Rhythm
While Morabito stole the show, the rest of the lineup provided the heavy lifting needed to secure the 10-4 victory. Juan Soto slugged his 23rd homer, a solo shot in the eighth, as part of the Mets’ 14-hit performance. Griffin Jax, making his first appearance in a month and failing to curb early offensive pressure, surrendered three runs in the first.
With two outs in the third, Brett Baty connected for a three-run double against Jax, giving the Mets a 6-0 lead. An RBI single from Jared Young combined with Marcus Semien’s double that drove in a run to extend that initial advantage. Jax allowed seven hits and walked two, unable to find a rhythm against a Mets team that refused to let up on the pressure.
Rays Streak Ends in Defeat
The loss marked a difficult night for the Rays, particularly for their young star Junior Caminero. Caminero finished 0 for 4 with two strikeouts, halting a 15-game hitting streak that served as a highlight for the franchise. Cedric Mullins drove in a run with a single and Richie Palacios launched his sixth homer, a two-run blast off Chris Devenski, narrowing the Rays to 6-4 in the fourth as they attempted a comeback.
Despite the late push, the bullpen held firm. Dedniel Núñez got four outs, and rookie Nate Lavender retired the next five, still not allowing a run through 12 appearances. Daniel Duarte recorded four outs while Jonathan Pintaro delivered a flawless ninth inning to secure the victory. The Mets now look ahead, with RHP Nolan McLean set to start their next game.
