NEW YORK - The Tampa Bay Rays scored six runs in the top of the sixth inning to spoil a solid outing from Clay Holmes and beat the New York Mets 7-5 at Citi Fie

The Tampa Bay Rays were sloppy Friday night, issuing seven walks, hitting a batter and committing three errors that led to five unearned runs. But none of it mattered because an offense that has been on a roll since the middle of May stayed in recent form during a 7-5 win over the New York Mets.

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NEW YORK - The Tampa Bay Rays acquired former top prospect Forrest Whitley for cash considerations on Friday afternoon, and manager Kevin Cash confirms that the

BOTTOM LINE: The New York Mets host the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday to open a three-game series. New York has gone 27-7 at home and 45-24 overall. The Mets have a 20-5 record in games when they hit at least two home runs.

“They’re a very talented team,” said Rays manager Kevin Cash, noting, among strengths, the power provided by Tampa’s Pete Alonso, Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo.