Rays fall to Mets 5-2 on June 15, 2025, despite Junior Caminero's 16th homer. Shane Baz takes the loss as Tampa Bay's offense goes quiet in Queens.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a frustrating Sunday afternoon at Citi Field as the Tampa Bay Rays dropped the rubber match to the New York Mets, 5-2. While the loss stings, the real story for Rays fans continues to be the meteoric rise of Junior Caminero, whose bat remains the most potent weapon in the lineup, providing the only offense of the day with another towering home run.
We need to string together better at-bats and capitalize on our opportunities. The Mets pitched well, but we had chances.
The Rays just couldn't solve Mets starter Griffin Canning, who held them to only five hits over six strong innings. Starter Shane Baz battled on the mound but wasn't his sharpest, surrendering four runs in 5.1 innings to take the loss, dropping his record to 5-4. The Mets' defense didn't help, with a spectacular diving catch by Brandon Nimmo in the eighth inning robbing the Rays of a potential rally. A quiet bullpen and a lack of timely hitting ultimately sealed the deal, leaving Tampa Bay with a disappointing series loss.
If there's one massive silver lining, it's the continued power surge from Junior Caminero. The young slugger accounted for all of Tampa Bay's scoring with a two-run shot in the sixth inning, his 16th of the season. The homer, which was immediately blasted across the Rays' social media, further cemented his place as the team's leader in both home runs and RBIs (43). In a lineup searching for consistency, Caminero has become the one constant, must-see at-bat every single game.
Manager Kevin Cash didn't mince words after the game, pointing directly to the team's offensive approach. 'We need to string together better at-bats,' he told reporters, a sentiment echoed by fans who watched the team struggle to build momentum. Despite the hitting woes, the team's core identity remains. The Rays are still one of the most aggressive teams on the basepaths, ranking among the AL leaders with 97 stolen bases. They'll need to combine that aggression with more consistent contact to get back on track.
While the big-league club struggled, the future looks bright down on the farm. The Triple-A Durham Bulls secured another victory Sunday, their sixth in the last eight games. Top prospect Carson Williams led the charge with a three-run homer, showcasing the pipeline of talent that continues to fuel the organization. It's a comforting reminder that even on a tough day in the majors, the Rays' system is constantly working to develop the next wave of impact players.
The Rays leave New York with a 38-33 record and a clear mandate from their manager: find consistency at the plate. While Junior Caminero's power is a thrilling development, the team can't rely on one player to carry the offense. As they head into their next series, the focus will be on stringing together those quality at-bats and converting their trademark speed into runs on the board. This team has the talent, but now it's time to execute.
