Matz sharp again but Mets blanked
Rays’ Snell strikes out nine and lowers his Al-leading ERA to 2.09
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 71/3 innings, Ramos drove in a two runs and the Rays downed New York 3-0.
“I’d be pumped,” Snell said about the possibility of playing in the Midsummer Classic. “I’d be stoked.”
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.
“Blake has been tremendous for us. He’s been the workhorse,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “We’re talking about a potential All-star candidate.”
The lanky lefty has yielded two runs or fewer in nine of his last 10 starts and is 4-0 with a 0.63 ERA over his last four outings, two against the Astros.
Tampa Bay finally broke through in the fifth as Matt Duffy scored on a groundout.
Steven Matz (4-6) continued his recent surge, charged with one run on five hits and three walks in 61/3 innings, striking out five. Matz has allowed four earned runs across his last three starts, a span of 182/3 innings.
“I get in situations throughout the game where I can crumble,” Matz said. “But I think just realizing what I’ve got to do out there, and just the task at hand, has really helped.”
The Rays added some insurance in the eighth on a bloop single by former Met Carlos Gomez, scoring Daniel Robertson. Ramos singled home a run in the ninth.
Sergio Romo got his ninth save.
Trainer’s room
Mets: LF Yoenis Cespedes (right hip) is continuing activities including running straight sprints, although he has yet to begin turning the bases to simulate a double. “Trying to figure out that schedule as we go along,” said manager Mickey Callaway about when his club’s top slugger might play in a rehab game.
Mejia reinstated
Pitcher Jenrry Mejia has been granted conditional reinstatement from his lifetime drug suspension and could return for the 2019 season. Commissioner Rob Manfred said Mejia may participate in non-public workouts in the team’s facilities after the All-star break and will be eligible for a minor league rehabilitation assignment in mid-august. If he meets specified conditions, he can return to the team for spring training. “Mr. Mejia expressed regret for poor choices he made in the past and assured me that, if reinstated, he would adhere to the terms of the (drug) program going forward,” Manfred said. “In light of Mr. Mejia’s contrition, his commitment to comply with the program in the future, and the fact that he will have already spent almost four consecutive years suspended without pay, I have decided to grant Mr. Mejia a final chance to resume his professional career.”