Rays crush Jose Quintana as Mets can’t dig out of early hole in loss

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Some were scolded, some were lined, some were blooped and most were grounded.

It did not seem to matter where Rays hitters placed their batted balls: Against Jose Quintana, they all found holes. 

The Mets quickly found their way into a deep hole that they never could quite escape in a 10-8 loss Friday to open a series with the Rays at Tropicana Field, where the most reliable pitcher Carlos Mendoza boasts came undone. 

“Really frustrating when you get that kind of support and you can’t take it,” said Quintana, who lasted just 2 ²/₃ innings while allowing eight runs on 10 hits and a walk. 

The Mets (16-16), who might be good and might be bad but definitely have proven interesting, have dropped eight of 12.

They followed up a loss on a disputed throw-out at the plate and a win on a walk-off double with a game they led by three, then trailed by six, then cut the gap to two.