Mets shut out by Rays, are swept for first time this season

After sweeping the struggling Rockies and Nationals, the Mets found themselves across from an actual contender to score a ticket into October. They showed up Sunday in danger of getting swept themselves for the first time this season, and in their own home, no less.

The team with the majors’ best ERA and the National League’s best record was in need of a well-pitched game against the Rays after the relievers failed to provide much relief in the opener and after Tylor Megill’s start didn’t end well in the second game.

Griffin Canning didn’t give the Mets what they were seeking in the series finale. Nor did the bullpen. And the hitters took Father’s Day off.

The Mets managed three singles off Shane Baz in his 6 2⁄3-inning outing and finished with five hits as Tampa Bay completed the three-game sweep with a 9-0 win in front of an announced sellout crowd of 42,804 at Citi Field.

“You hate to get swept here at home, but you’ve got to move on,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “You’ve got to turn the page.”

These last three pages weren’t good at all, especially the pitching.

The Mets (45-27) brought a terrific 2.88 team ERA into this game, but it rose to 2.97 after they served up those nine earned runs. They’re 3-14 in their last 17 meetings with Tampa Bay dating to July 2018.

The scrappy Rays (39-32) scored 24 runs in the three games. Nine walks in the finale hurt the Mets’ cause.

“You’ve got to give them credit, but at the same time, we’re giving up too many free passes and we’re giving them extra outs,” Mendoza said. “And they’re going to make you pay. They put the ball in play. They play the small ball, and today was a perfect example.”

The Rays indeed put together a small-ball three-run rally when they struck first in the second — full-count walk, full-count walk, bunt single, RBI by Kameron Misner on a forceout, run-scoring wild pitch, RBI single lined into left by Danny Jansen.

That was all Baz needed, b

ut the Rays nicked Canning for another in the third — four-pitch walk, ground single to right by Jonathan Aranda, RBI by Jake Magnum on a forceout.

The free passes came back to haunt Canning again in the fifth. He walked the leadoff batter, got a fly ball, then walked another, and Mendoza walked out to get him.

Aranda then greeted Max Kranick with a liner down the rightfield line for a two-run double, finishing Canning’s unsightly line. He was charged with six runs, all earned, four hits and a season-high five walks in 4 1⁄3 innings and fell to 6-3.

After a surprisingly good beginning with the Mets, four of his last five starts haven’t been too impressive. Canning’s ERA moved from 3.22 to 3.80.

“Just falling behind guys, walking guys, probably shying away from contact a little bit too much,” he said.

Junior Caminero capped the onslaught with one out in the ninth, rocking a three-run homer to left off Ryne Stanek.

With two outs, Mendoza brought in infielder/outfielder Jared Young to finish the inning. It was his major-league pitching debut. The “righthander,” throwing in the 50s, 60s and 70s, allowed a single and a walk before getting Misner to fly to center.

So the Mets head out for a six-game NL East trip, playing three in Atlanta and three more in Philadelphia.

In the end, this Tampa Bay series was either just three days in June along Seaver Way or an indication that some things need fixing.

“People will look at this series and see if there’s a recipe on how to beat us,” Brandon Nimmo said. “And so I definitely think there’s something to learn from it. But at the same time, you try to not make it bigger than it is.”

Notes & quotes: Brett Baty started at third but left for a pinch hitter in the seventh after experiencing right groin tightness while going for a foul ball. He’s day-to-day . . . Francisco Lindor, playing on a broken right pinkie toe, received a DH day instead of one at short. “It’s all about pain tolerance,” Mendoza said. “He feels like day by day he’s getting better.” . . . Mark Vientos (right hamstring) will begin his rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Syracuse.