Yandy Diaz and Isaac Paredes each had two hits, including singles in Tampa Bay’s tie-breaking two-run eighth inning, as the Rays defeated the visiting New York Mets 3-1 on Saturday.
It marked the 755th career win for Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash, breaking a tie with Joe Maddon for the most in franchise history.
Rays reliever Jason Adam (2-0) walked two but allowed no hits in the eighth inning to get the win, and Phil Maton came on in the ninth for his first save of the season.
Tampa Bay went ahead in the eighth against Adam Ottavino (1-1), who allowed the two runs and two hits in two-thirds of an inning. He also walked two batters.
Diaz singled with one out, Richie Palacios drew a walk and Paredes reached on a soft infield single to load the bases. After Diaz was thrown out at home on a force-out, pinch hitter Austin Shenton drew a walk, scoring Palacios and putting the hosts ahead 2-1.
Sean Reid-Foley came in to replace Ottavino and walked Jose Caballero, forcing in Paredes to make it 3-1.
Christian Scott tossed 94 pitches for the Mets in his major league debut, giving up one run on five hits and fanning six in 6 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old settled down after allowing hits to the first three batters he faced, capped by Paredes’ RBI single. Scott then retired 12 straight batters until Ben Rortvedt singled in the fifth inning.
New York took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. After Brandon Nimmo doubled on the first pitch of the game, Starling Marte brought him home with a single to right field.
Tampa Bay answered in the bottom. Diaz singled to center field, advanced to third on a double from Palacios, and scored on Paredes’ single.
The Rays had a chance to pull ahead in the fifth. Jonny DeLuca reached first on force-out. With two out, he stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Mets catcher Tomas Nido. He ended the inning there when Jose Siri struck out swinging.
Scott’s night came to an end in the seventh inning. He was pulled after allowing a two-out single to center field to Rortvedt.
Rays starter Zack Littell allowed one run on six hits and struck out seven in six innings.
