Bautista's big slam in 9th lifts Mets to 5-1 win over Rays

NEW YORK (AP) Jose Bautista's grand slam with two outs in the ninth inning lifted the New York Mets to a 5-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night.

Todd Frazier walked and Devin Mesoraco Chaz Roe (1-2) before Amed Rosario 's sacrifice advanced the runners. Roe then got pinch-hitter Dominic Smith on a comeback and intentionally walked Brandon Nimmo to load the basics.

Bautista homed to left field on the first pitch he saw for his first career walk-off blast.

Tampa Bay had a chance to take the lead in New York closer to Jeurys Familia (4-5). 4) goal came up short.

After Familia hit Daniel Robertson with a pitch to load the basics, first baseman Wilmer Flores got pinch-runner Hunter Wood out at home despite his high throw. Umpires confirmed the call after Tampa Bay challenged.

Familia then struck out Willy Adames to end the threat.

Jacob deGrom was once again stellar for the Mets, allowing just one run and four hits while striking out eight and issuing one

Asdrubal Cabrera gave the Mets a 1-0 lead in the third with an RBI single.

DeGrom, who has an 1.80 ERA in his first starts at Citi Field this season, made his lone mistake of the night when he gave up a solo tying homer to Adames, his third of the season, in the fifth.

AN EYE FOR INTERNATIONAL TALENT

New York announced Friday the official signings of their top two targets the international free agent period for 2018-19 opened July 2, awarding a franchise-record $ 2.7 million signing bonus to 16-year-old Francisco Alvarez from Venezuela. Alvarez was ranked No. 9 on Baseball America's Prospect List, and 13th on the MLB Pipeline list.

Freddy Valdez, a 16-year-old outfielder from the Dominican Republic, was awarded a $ 1.45 million bonus. MLB Pipeline Ranked # 25.

FRESH FACES

Tampa signed Shane McClanahan, their 31st overall pick in the 2018 June Draft, on Friday, hours before the official 5

McClanahan, a 21-year-old lefty from the University of South Florida, will be badigned to the Gulf Coast League Rays.

LHP Matthew Liberatore, the Rays' other first-round pick, selected 16th overall, made his debut with the GCL Rays on Friday. One of the best hits, one hit, and two walks with one strikeout and one hit hit in 1 2/3 innings, picking up the loss.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Rays: RHP Chris Archer will return to the rotation start Monday against Detroit. The ace has been on the disabled June 5 due to a left abdominal strain. Archer is 3-4 with a 4.24 ERA in 13 starts this season.

Mets: Manager Mickey Callaway said that it would be "ideal" for RHP Noah Syndergaard to start July 13 vs. against Washington if all goes well with his rehab start Sunday at Single-A Brooklyn.

MOVES

Rays: Tampa Bay recalled LHP Adam Kolarek from Triple-A Durham and designated by Jerry Hazelbaker for badignment.

Mets: RHP Paul Sewald was called up from Triple-A

UP NEXT

Rays: Blake Snell (11-4, 2.24 ERA) starts the second game of the series. Sneak has won his last three outings, allowing just two runs and eight hits while striking out 26 despite 12 walks in 21 innings

Mets: Steven Matz (4-5, 3.46) gets the nod in his first start against Tampa Bay . Opponents are just hitting .167 (17 for 102) with runners in scoring position against the New York lefty.

–

More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball