Matz good, but Snell better as Rays blank Mets

New York — Tampa Bay's Blake Snell and Wilson Ramos are hoping they both get selected to the American League All-Star team. Saturday afternoon's performance at Citi Field may have strengthened the batterymates' chances.

Snell blanked the Mets over a career-high-tying 7 1/3 innings, Ramos drove in a pair of runs and the Rays downed New York 3-0 on Saturday.

"I'd be pumped," Snell said about the possibility of playing in the Midsummer Classic. "I'd be stoked."

A late afternoon start under clear blue skies featured two young left-handers at the top of their game in recent weeks, both successfully dodging a slew of baserunners early.

Ranked among the league leaders in several categories, the 25-year-old Snell was as advertised— keeping the Mets off the board despite allowing the leadoff runner to reach in six out of eight frames including each of the first four.

Snell (12-4) struck out nine, scattering six hits and three walks while lowering his AL-leading ERA to 2.09.

The lanky lefty has yielded two runs or fewer in nine of his last 10 starts and is 4-0 with an 0.63 ERA over his last four outings, two against the Astros.

"He deserves to be in the AllStar Game because he's had an awesome year," Ramos said "There's nothing better than being with your teammates in the All-Star Game." The feeling is mutual. "He needs to go," Snell said, rallying for his backstop. "It would be even cooler if I did go and pitch to him. I think that would be special for the both of us."

After being held scoreless in 34 of their previous 36 innings, Tampa Bay finally broke through in the fifth. Matt Duffy lined a leadoff double down the right-field line, the fourth two-bagger surrendered by Mets starter Steven Matz to that point, advancing to third on a groundout.

Ramos followed with a sharp grounder to shortstop. A charging Amed Rosario booted the ball before recovering and throwing to first for the out. With Duffy running on contact, Rosario likely would have cut down the run at home had he fielded the ball cleanly. Instead, the Rays took a 1-0 lead.

"He just came in on it hard," Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. "He looked up just to see where the runner was and it hit off his heel."

Matz (4-6) continued his recent surge, charged with one run on five hits and three walks in 6 1/3 innings— striking out five. He has allowed four earned runs across his last three starts, a span of 18 2/3 innings.

He escaped trouble early by getting Adeiny Hechavarria to fly out, ending a bases-loaded threat in the first. The Rays left seven men on in the first four innings and were 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position during that stretch.