Nick Morabito’s First MLB Hit Helps Mets Beat Rays 10-4 and Win Series

Mets Turn to Nick Morabito in 10-4 Victory

The New York Mets used a pair of three run doubles and a late offensive surge to defeat the Tampa Bay Rays 10-4 on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field, winning the rubber match of the three-game series. The victory came against an American League leading Rays club and featured a breakthrough performance from rookie Nick Morabito, who recorded his first major league hit with a bases loaded, three run double in the seventh inning.

Morabito entered the game as a pinch runner for Mark Vientos in the sixth inning after beginning his major league career hitless in his first 12 at bats. With two outs and the bases loaded in the seventh, he lined a 2-2 pitch from Tampa Bay reliever Manuel Rodríguez down the left-field line, turning a 6-4 Mets lead into a 9-4 advantage.

The 23-year-old rookie added another hit in the ninth inning and made perhaps the defensive highlight of the night in the eighth. Morabito tracked down a sinking liner from Victor Mesa Jr. in left field and made a diving catch to end the inning.

Mets Build an Early Lead

New York jumped on Rays starter Griffin Jax in the first inning. Jared Young delivered an RBI single before Marcus Semien followed with an RBI double, giving the Mets a 3-0 advantage.

The Mets added three more runs in the third when Brett Baty delivered a bases clearing double with two outs. The hit pushed New York’s lead to 6-0 and chased Jax from the game after he allowed seven hits and two walks in less than three innings.

New York finished with 14 hits, with Juan Soto, Bo Bichette and Carson Benge among the Mets hitters contributing multiple hits. Soto added insurance in the eighth inning when he launched his 23rd home run of the season, a solo shot that made it 10-4.

Rays Rally Before Mets Pull Away

Tampa Bay struggled to generate offense early against Mets right hander Justin Hagenman, who was making his first start of the season and just the second start of his major league career. Hagenman retired the first eight Rays hitters before Taylor Walls drew a two out walk in the third inning.

Yandy Díaz and Jonathan Aranda followed with consecutive singles, with Aranda’s hit bringing Tampa Bay onto the scoreboard. The Rays then mounted their biggest rally in the fourth inning. Cedric Mullins singled home a run before Richie Palacios hit a two run homer, his sixth of the season, cutting New York’s lead to 6-4.

The Mets, however, shut down the comeback attempt. Their bullpen held Tampa Bay scoreless over the final five innings, allowing New York’s offense to regain control.

Mets Bullpen Closes Out the Win

Dedniel Núñez earned the victory after recording four outs, while rookie Nate Lavender continued his impressive start to his major league career by retiring five consecutive hitters. Lavender has not allowed a run through his first 12 major league appearances. Daniel Duarte also recorded four outs before Jonathan Pintaro completed the victory with a perfect ninth inning.

For Tampa Bay, the defeat ended Junior Caminero’s 15-game hitting streak. Caminero went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

Morabito Provides the Defining Moment

While Soto’s home run and Baty’s three-RBI performance helped power the Mets’ offense, Morabito’s first major league hit became the defining moment of the night. His three run double provided the separation New York needed after Tampa Bay had battled back from a six run deficit.

The Mets improved to 63-77 with the victory, while the Rays fell to 83-56. More importantly for New York, the win secured the series against one of the American League’s top teams and gave Morabito a memorable breakthrough performance.

Morabito’s three run double was also notable historically for the Mets: MLB’s game recap noted that he became the first Met since Jordany Valdespin in 2012 to drive in at least three runs with his first career major league hit.

For a rookie who had waited through his first 12 hitless at-bats, Morabito could hardly have scripted a better first major league hit and the Mets could not have picked a better time for it.