Freddy Peralta stymies former team and Yandy Díaz powers AL-best Rays to 6-2 win over Mets

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Freddy Peralta pitched six terrific innings against his former team, Yandy Díaz homered and doubled, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Mets 6-2 on Tuesday night.

Junior Caminero extended his hitting streak to 15 games with two singles for Tampa Bay. Victor Mesa Jr. had three hits and Ryan Vilade drove in two runs for the Rays, who have the best record in the American League at 83-55 and began the night with a 4 1/2-game lead in the AL East over the New York Yankees.

Peralta, acquired from the Mets for three minor leaguers in an Aug. 2 trade, struggled at the start. He gave up Francisco Lindor’s leadoff homer and consecutive singles to Bo Bichette and Carson Benge. But the right-hander settled down and retired 17 of his final 18 batters.

Peralta (7-11) allowed three hits and one run, with no walks and seven strikeouts. He has permitted just one run over his last 14 innings.

The two-time All-Star combined with three Rays relievers to hold New York to 0 for 26 over the final eight innings, although the Mets managed to score in the seventh when Tampa Bay walked four batters.

Caminero quickly extended the longest active hitting streak in the majors with a first-inning single that scored Díaz and tied the game at 1.

Vilade’s third-inning single off Sean Manaea (4-7) scored Mesa and gave the Rays a 2-1 lead.

Tampa Bay chased Manaea by hitting for the cycle in a three-run sixth, including Nick Fortes' run-scoring double, Díaz's homer and Vilade's triple. Fortes scored on a sacrifice fly by Taylor Walls.

Lindor drove Peralta’s 3-2 curveball into the right-field seats for his 34th career leadoff homer and second in three games. He drove in both Mets runs, including a bases-loaded walk.

Mets RHP Justin Hagenman will make his 2026 debut in Wednesday’s series finale. The Rays are expected to start right-hander Griffin Jax (6-9, 3.63 ERA) after activating him from the injured list.

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New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea delivers to the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Rays' Victor Mesa Jr., right, celebrates with first base coach Corey Dickerson after his single off New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Kevin Kelly (49) celebrates with catcher Nick Fortes after closing out the New York Mets during the ninth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Rays' Yandy Díaz celebrates in the dugout after his solo home run off New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Freddy Peralta delibers to the New York Mets during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

CINCINNATI (AP) — Jose Trevino drove in the go-ahead run with a bases-loaded single in the eighth inning, lifting the Cincinnati Reds to a 4-3 victory over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night.

San Diego (73-66) began the day with a half-game lead on Arizona for the third and final NL wild-card spot. The Diamondbacks hosted the Phillies later Tuesday night.

With the score tied at 2 in the eighth, the Reds loaded the bases with one out against Adrian Morejon (9-3). Trevino lined a sharp single to center, scoring Elly De La Cruz with the go-ahead run.

Juan Brito followed with a sacrifice fly to give the Reds a two-run cushion.

Emilio Pagán allowed a solo homer to Fernando Tatis, his second of the night, in the ninth but secured his 20th save.

Brock Burke (6-5) got the win for Cincinnati.

Samad Taylor tripled for the second time this season and scored on Manny Machado's sacrifice fly to put the Padres ahead 1-0 in the first.

The Reds tied it in the bottom half when Hector Rodriguez doubled and later scored on JJ Bleday's single.

Tatis put the Padres ahead 2-1 in the fifth with his 18th home run.

Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo allowed two earned runs and five hits with two walks and five strikeouts while tying a season high with 100 pitches.

Edwin Arroyo doubled in the fifth and scored on Rodriguez's single to tie it at 2.

Padres starter Randy Vazquez allowed two earned runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings with a walk and three strikeouts.

San Diego missed a couple scoring chances late in Tuesday's game.

They had runners on first and second with no outs in the seventh, but Reds right-hander Luis Mey worked out of the jam. In the eighth, Jackson Merrill doubled with two outs, but Brock Burke struck out Luis Campusano to end the inning.

Padres RHP Casey Mize (5-8, 3.45) will face Reds LHP Brandon Williamson (2-3, 6.11) in the series finale on Wednesday.

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Cincinnati Reds' Héctor Rodríguez tries to stay on second after hitting a double as San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts attempts to tag him out during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tanner Pearson)

Cincinnati Reds' Héctor Rodríguez scores on a single by JJ Bleday during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tanner Pearson)

San Diego Padres' Samad Taylor celebrates with Ty France after scoring on a sacrifice fly by Manny Machado during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tanner Pearson)

San Diego Padres' Randy Vásquez pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tanner Pearson)

Cincinnati Reds' Nick Lodolo pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tanner Pearson)