ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Robert Stock delivered the strongest outing of his major league career Monday night, guiding the New York Mets to a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. The right-handed pitcher worked 5 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just five hits and recording five strikeouts without issuing a walk.
The win marked Stock’s first major league victory since 2019 and came against a Tampa Bay team that entered the game atop the American League standings with an 82-54 record. This series represented the Mets’ fourth consecutive set against division leaders, following contests against the White Sox, Brewers, and Astros.
Stock’s recent performances have been inconsistent, including a rough start last week in which he allowed seven runs to Milwaukee and another in Pittsburgh with eight earned runs. Those outings contributed to his elevated 5.88 ERA. However, since returning from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, he has generally limited opposing teams, and Monday’s start was the latest sign of improvement.
“I’m not going to get too hung up thinking that I’m the world’s worst pitcher last week and the world’s best one this week,” Stock said after the game. “It’s what I need to do to continue to be good.”
The Mets have several pitching options poised to impact their rotation soon. Justin Hagenman is scheduled to make his first start Wednesday, providing rest for Christian Scott, while Triple-A Syracuse’s Jonah Tong has shown significant progress and could earn a call-up.
Defensively, the Mets supported Stock with key plays to preserve the shutout through five innings. With the bases loaded in the fifth, Christopher Morel made a leaping catch on a Jonathan Aranda hit to left field, ending the inning and maintaining Stock’s scoreless run. Morel also threw out Chandler Simpson trying to stretch a single into a double the following inning.
Offensively, Mark Vientos energized the Mets lineup in his return from the injured list by hitting a two-run homer in the seventh inning, his 12th of the season. Vientos, who had recently achieved a three-homer game at Triple-A Syracuse, was recalled on the same day that outfielder Luis Robert Jr. was claimed off waivers by Baltimore. Francisco Alvarez extended the Mets’ lead later in the seventh with an RBI single.
Tampa Bay mounted a late rally in the eighth inning with RBI singles from Liam Hicks and Chandler Simpson, narrowing the deficit to 3-2. However, Mets relievers Chris Devenski and Kodai Senga shut down the Rays in the final innings, with Senga recording the save by closing out a scoreless ninth.
Interim Mets manager Andy Green praised Stock’s control, noting that when he located his pitches in the strike zone, he was an asset to the team’s effort. The Mets’ latest win improves their continuing run against strong divisional competition as they seek to maintain momentum in a competitive National League race.