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

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.

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

However, the momentum was tempered Thursday when ace Kodai Senga exited early in the sixth inning due to a strained right hamstring. Senga, who has an MLB ‑best 1.47 ERA, delivered 5.2 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and five strikeouts, before collapsing after covering first base on a routine grounder.

“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.

Most of Carlos Mendoza’s pitching moves this season have been platinum, but Friday night the Mets manager got burned.