Jeff McNeil continued his recent streak of hitting home runs with a two-run shot in the sixth inning that broke a tie, helping the New York Mets defeat the New York Yankees 3-2 in the first game of their Subway Series on Tuesday night.
Both teams are currently in positions to make the playoffs. Jose Quintana and five relief pitchers limited the Yankees to five hits in front of a full crowd of 47,453 at Yankee Stadium. With this win, the Mets improved to 52-48, matching their highest point of the season at four games above .500.
Managed by rookie Carlos Mendoza, who previously served as the Yankees’ bench coach for four years, the Mets have now won all three games against their city rivals this season, including a two-game sweep at Citi Field last month.
Reliever Jake Diekman praised the team effort: “It’s a really good team win.”
Diekman closed out the game with a hitless ninth inning, earning his fourth save because regular closer Edwin Díaz was rested following a long outing the previous day. Diekman struck out Aaron Judge and got rookie Ben Rice to ground out, securing the victory for the Mets.
Reflecting on facing Judge, who had been walked four times earlier in the game, Diekman explained: “He showed us a lot right there. The last heater was spotted perfectly. I just challenged him and made quality pitches.”
Despite being repeatedly walked, Judge remained focused on contributing to the team: “I think they’re just trying to be a little careful and you’ve just got to pass the baton to the next guy. It’s part of it. It’s a team game.”
Quintana, the Mets’ starting pitcher, acknowledged Judge’s hot streak: “I know how hot he is right now, the Mets’ strategy paid off as they held off the Yankees and extended their winning streak against their local rivals this season.
