(UPDATED) The Mets will rely on Triple-A call up Fernando Nieve to help them shake off another horrible loss tonight when the unheralded right-hander takes on the Rays in the debut of interleague play at Cit Field. The Mets are still reeling from Thursday night’s debacle in Baltimore, when usually sure-bet closer Frankie Rodriguez couldn’t hold a 4-3 lead in the ninth inning against the last-place Orioles.

On the plus side, the Mets were coming off last Friday’s nightmarish loss at new Yankee Stadium when Nieve rode to their rescue in place of the injured John Maine. Nieve limited the powerful Yankees lineup to just two runs on four hits and a walk in 6 2/3 innings of a 6-2 win in his Amazin’s debut.

Nieve will face off against struggling Tampa Bay right-hander Andy Sonanstine, who is sporting a 6.65 ERA and has already surrendered 14 home runs in just 70 1/3 innings. Sonnanstine gave up just 21 homers in 193 1/3 innings last season.

Here is the 33-31 Mets’ order for the 7:10 p.m. game:

Alex Cora SS

Daniel Murphy 1B

Carlos Beltran CF

David Wright 3B

Gary Sheffield LF

Ryan Church RF

Brian Schneider C

Luis Castillo 2B

Fernando Nieve RHP (1-0, 2.08)

Nieve’s numbers against the Rays’ hitters

The 35-33 Rays will counter with:

B.J. Upton CF

Carl Crawford LF

Evan Longoria 3B

Carlos Pena 1B

Ben Zobrist 2B

Gabe Gross RF

Jason Bartlett SS

Dioner Navarro C

Andy Sonnanstine RHP (5-6, 6.65)

Sonnanstine’s numbers against the Mets’ hitters