Robert Stock delivers best career start to lead Mets over Rays as he battles to stay in rotation
PUBLISHED Aug 31, 2026, 11:40 PM ET
Journeyman pitcher Robert Stock delivered the finest outing of his major league career, tossing five and one-third scoreless innings to lead the New York Mets to a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Monday night. The 36-year-old right-hander allowed five hits and struck out four batters without issuing a walk, securing his first major league win since 2019. The performance helped the Mets snap a six-game overall losing streak against the Rays and an eight-game skid at Tropicana Field. New York built their lead behind a home run from Mark Vientos, who returned to the lineup from the injured list, while outfielder Christopher Morel contributed two crucial defensive plays. The victory is a significant development for Stock as he battles to retain his position in the Mets starting rotation during a demanding series against division leaders.
By Emily Rhodes | JQJO News
- Articles Published:
- 31
- Right Leaning:
- 1
- Left Leaning:
- 0
- Neutral:
- 30
- Distribution:
- Left 0%, Center 97%, Right 3%
Left: Emphasized athletic perseverance and team collaboration overcoming roster challenges. Center: Focused strictly on game statistics, pitching milestones, and match scores. Right: Highlighted individual veteran grit and competitive drive against odds.
Robert Stock pitched five scoreless innings as Mets defeated Rays. https://www.mlb.com/news/robert-stock-leads-mets-over-rays-august-31-2026
Coverage of Story:
From Left
No left-leaning sources found for this story.
From Center
Robert Stock delivers best career start to lead Mets over Rays as he battles to stay in rotation
EventRegistry Associated Press ESPN Reuters Tampa Bay Times The Athletic SNY MLB.com Newsday CBS Sports Yahoo Sports Bleacher Report Fox Sports USA Today Daily News Sports Illustrated The Sporting News NJ.com WFAN Pix11 NBC New York ABC News Wall Street Journal Washington Post Seattle Times Miami Herald Tampa Bay Sun St. Petersburg Times Baseball America FanSidedFrom Right
Robert Stock saves Mets rotation hopes with career-best performance against Rays
New York Post
Comments