NEW YORKAs his game-winning, two-run homer off Luke Weaver in the seventh inning flew into the second deck at Citi Field, Jeff McNeil, arms clenched behind his back, tossed his bat and yelled toward the New York Mets dugout, beginning up the first base line.
After twenty-five minutes, the second baseman ran half a dozen steps to his left, flopped out onto the outfield grass, and caught DJ LeMahieu’s one-hopper with an outstretched glove pointed toward the right-field corners. For the second out of the ninth, McNeil jumped up and threw to first.
After the Mets defeated the New York Yankees 6-5 on Friday in the first game of the second Subway Series this season, after overcoming two two-run deficits, McNeil declared that the homer was sick. I enjoy launching home runs. I don’t hit a lot. However, I believe that play was slightly larger because I hit the home run.
The Yankees lost 2-0 and 5-3 leads, while the Mets blew a 3-2 lead in an exciting back-and-forth battle that included seven home runs on a beautiful Fourth of July. After losing 14 of 17, the Mets won their third straight game, while the Yankees suffered their fifth consecutive loss.
On May 16, both teams started their Bronx series in top place. On June 12, the Yankees were 42-25 and the Mets were 45-24, both of which were big league bests before plunging like skydivers. Since then, the Yankees are 6-15 and the Mets are 6-14.
Justin Hagenman, 28, was given his first major league start by the Mets, who had 13 pitchers on the injured list. Aaron Judge later hit his 32nd home run after Jasson Dom nguez went deep first, snapping a 32-game home runless stretch. The following nine hitters were retired by Hagenman.
He astonished that everyone in New York was essentially watching the game.
The bottom half began with Juan Soto hitting a two-run homer off Marcus Stroman after Dominguez misplayed Brandon Nimmo’s leadoff shot for a double.
Regarding Soto’s shot, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza remarked, “He’s kind of getting the momentum right back.” It was somewhat of a setting-the-scenes moment. Alright, they strike, and we will strike back. The game is on.
Soto returned to Yankee Stadium and went 1 for 10 with no extra-base hits. In this one, he had three hits, tripling in the third and scoring when Pete Alonso hit a scorching grounder off shortstop Anthony Volpe’s glove at 108.3 mph.
Dom Nguez hit a two-run homer against Austin Warren in the fifth inning to take a 5-3 lead, while Cody Bellinger’s home drive tied the score in the fourth. Ian Hamilton’s home run in the sixth inning by Brett Baty reduced the lead to one.
In the sixth, Weaver walked Alonso after coming in as a reliever with two outs. McNeil assumed he would receive a pitch at the bottom of the strike zone after working the count full. His eighth home run of the season came on the fourth changeup of the at-bat.
McNeil has been with the Mets organization since they selected him twelve years ago, and he is currently 33 years old and a two-time All-Star.
According to Mendoza, he is a man who enjoys gaming and is always prepared to go. He is a really significant member of this team.
In three consecutive games, Weaver has given up home runs. He has a 13.50 ERA in seven appearances since returning from a strained left hamstring, after recording a 1.05 ERA in his first 24 games.
“I’ve been feeling good,” I said. Now, that may be a lie. I’m not sure. “It’s difficult to understand what’s happening,” Weaver remarked. Right now, I have two choices. I have two options: I can pout and feel sorry for myself, or I can work hard and figure out how to be completely better.
Working the eighth for a struggling Mets bullpen, Reed Garrett recorded three outs around a single despite having a 15.00 ERA in his last eight appearances. When Garrett returned to the dugout, he made an effort to stay away from Mendoza.
Garrett remarked, “I was attempting to leave so he couldn’t remove me from the game.”
Mendoza allowed Garrett to work the ninth inning since closer Edwin D. Az was unable to pitch after pitching the two days prior.
Trent Grisham flew out while pinch hitting for the sagging Volpe. LeMahieu trailed behind, his one-hopper looping toward the hole that was sure to be a hit.
Soto, who was storming in from right field, said, “He just dives for the ball out of nowhere and really, really got me shocked.”
You must simply toss your glove at it and attempt to scoop it up,” McNeil stated. Since Judge was up fourth that inning and we didn’t want him to reach the plate, I knew it was a big play.
Dominguez hit an easy grounder to McNeil five pitches later. Garrett pumped his fist and screamed.
“I believe we’ve demonstrated a lot of our team identity over the past month,” he remarked. If you put us in a tight spot, I believe we’ll battle our way out.
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