Rays stun Mets 7-5 on June 14, 2025, with a 6-run 6th inning. Danny Jansen's go-ahead homer caps a wild comeback. Read how they beat the NL's best.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when you thought they were down and out, the Tampa Bay Rays delivered a signature performance, roaring back from a four-run deficit to stun the New York Mets 7-5 at Citi Field. A massive six-run sixth inning turned the game on its head, reminding everyone that this team's fight is never over, even against the league's elite.
Down 5-1, the Rays erupted for six runs in the sixth inning, capped by Danny Jansen's go-ahead two-run homer.
Trailing 5-1 heading into the sixth, the Rays' offense came to life in spectacular fashion against the Mets bullpen. The inning was a masterclass in timely hitting, highlighted by a clutch two-run single from Jake Mangum that narrowed the gap. The crescendo came when Danny Jansen stepped to the plate and launched a go-ahead, two-run home run, silencing the Citi Field crowd and putting the Rays on top for good. This single inning completely flipped the script and secured a crucial win to improve the team's record to 37-32.
The comeback wouldn't have held without some nail-biting moments on defense. The Mets loaded the bases in the seventh, but reliever Edwin Uceta induced a key out to escape the jam. Uceta's heroics continued in the eighth, but the play of the game belonged to Josh Lowe. With Juan Soto at the plate representing the tying run, Lowe raced back to the wall and made a spectacular leaping catch, robbing the Mets' slugger of a home run and preserving the lead. It was a game-saving play that encapsulated the team's gritty, all-around effort.
While the on-field action was exhilarating, the news from the training room was far more sobering. The bullpen, which performed so well late in the game, took a hit with the announcement that RHP Manuel Rodriguez was placed on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain. Even more concerning is the status of ace LHP Shane McClanahan. After a promising bullpen session on June 7, he has been shut down again from throwing due to his left triceps nerve irritation, with no timetable for his return. It's a significant setback for the pitching staff.
Amid the tough injury news, there was a glimmer of hope. Shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, who was pulled from his rehab assignment with hamstring tightness, is expected to return to action as soon as the week of June 16. The initial scare appears to have been minor, and his return to the lineup can't come soon enough. Kim's bat and glove will provide a much-needed boost for a team navigating a tough stretch of injuries.
Saturday's win was a massive shot in the arm, a gutsy performance that showcases the Rays' resilience. But the mounting injuries, especially the concerning news about McClanahan, cast a long shadow. As the team looks to secure a series win against the Mets, all eyes will also be on the training room, hoping for Ha-Seong Kim's swift return to bolster a lineup that proved it can hang with the very best.