Peralta shines against former team

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Freddy Peralta pitched six strong innings against his former team, and the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the New York Mets 6-2 on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field.

Peralta, acquired from the Mets in an Aug. 2 trade, allowed one run on three hits, striking out seven without a walk. He retired 17 of the final 18 batters he faced, including the last 13, after giving up a leadoff home run to Francisco Lindor and consecutive singles in the first inning.

"I have my confidence back," Peralta said. "I think that's a more important thing for a pitcher, when you trust in your stuff again."

Rays manager Kevin Cash praised the right-hander's fastball and conviction, noting his last two outings have been strong. Peralta allowed only two hits over six scoreless innings in Detroit in his previous start and has permitted just one run over his last 14 innings.

Peralta admitted feeling "a little bit" of emotion facing his former team, but said he approached the game like any other. "I feel really happy right now, but I know it's a business," he said. "It's nothing to do with that."

Mets take early lead, Rays respond

Lindor greeted Peralta with a blast to right field leading off the game, his 15th home run of the season and 34th career leadoff homer. The Mets added singles from Bo Bichette and Carson Benge, but Peralta escaped further damage by striking out Jared Young and retiring Brett Baty.

The Rays tied the game in the bottom of the first when Junior Caminero's RBI single scored Yandy Díaz, who led off with a double. Ryan Vilade's RBI single in the third inning gave Tampa Bay a 2-1 lead.

Rays break open the game

The Rays chased Sean Manaea in a three-run sixth inning, hitting for the cycle. Nick Fortes hit an RBI double, Díaz homered, and Vilade added a triple. Fortes scored on a sacrifice fly by Taylor Walls.

Manaea (4-7) allowed five earned runs on 11 hits and one walk over 5 2/3 innings. The Mets managed to score in the seventh when the Rays walked four batters, with Lindor drawing a bases-loaded walk for his second RBI of the game. Tyler Wells got Juan Soto to pop out to end the threat.

The Rays combined with their relievers to hold the Mets to 0 for 26 over the final eight innings.

Records and notes

The Rays improved to 83-55, the best record in the American League, and began the night with a 4½-game lead in the AL East over the New York Yankees. Caminero extended his hitting streak to 15 games with two singles. Victor Mesa Jr. had three hits, and Vilade drove in two runs.

Mets right-hander Justin Hagenman will make his 2026 debut in Wednesday's series finale, according to the Associated Press. The Rays are expected to start right-hander Griffin Jax (6-9, 3.63 ERA) after activating him from the injured list.