Juan Soto’s second game in the Subway Series as a member of the Mets began much more successfully than his first. On Friday at Citi Field, Soto went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer, helping lead the Mets to a 6-5 win over the Yankees in the first game of a three-match set. Jeff McNeil contributed significantly with a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh inning, pushing the Mets ahead late in a tightly contested game that showcased the resilience of New York’s lineup and bullpen.
Pitching Challenges Amid Injuries Tested Mets’ Depth
Despite a struggling pitching staff hampered by injuries to key starters Kodai Senga, Tylor Megill, Griffin Canning, Paul Blackburn, and Sean Manaea, the Mets managed to hold on. Justin Hagenman made his major league debut as a starter, allowing three solo home runs, including back-to-back blasts to Yankees’ stars Jasson Domínguez and Aaron Judge to open the game. Although he faced difficulties, Hagenman pitched 4 1/3 innings before handing the ball to Austin Warren, who surrendered another long ball to Domínguez in the fifth inning—a two-run homer that broke a 3-3 tie.
Relievers Huascar Brazobán and Reed Garrett combined to close out the game. Brazobán worked a scoreless seventh inning, while Garrett earned a two-inning save. Garrett’s efforts were supported by McNeil’s outstanding defensive play at second base, where he executed a diving stop and threw out DJ LeMahieu for the second-to-last out in the ninth inning.
Highlights and Historical Context of the Game’s Home Runs
The Mets allowed three or more home runs for only the third time in their last five games, showing a rare vulnerability in their pitching over their first 84 contests of the season. The game featured a total of seven home runs combined between the two teams, matching the record for the most homers in a single Subway Series game, a mark previously set on September 24, 2009.
Juan Soto’s Performance Despite Early Season Struggles in the Bronx
Soto, who had struggled during his outings at Yankee Stadium earlier in the season with just one hit in 10 at-bats, showed marked improvement. He hit a home run, doubled, and scored twice, raising his season slash line to .266/.399/.516. His power and patience played a crucial role in the Mets’ narrow win.
Upcoming Matchup Between Mets and Yankees Star Pitchers
The Subway Series continues with Frankie Montas set to start for the Mets in his third appearance this season. Montas, who holds a 2-1 record and a 1.89 ERA against the Yankees in 19 innings, faces off against left-hander Carlos Rodón, the Yankees’ top starter. Rodón boasts a 3-0 record with a 1.15 ERA against the Mets in over 15 innings pitched. The game is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on SNY, FS1, and YES networks.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Juan Soto’s bat speed?
A. Ramos and Soto once had bat speeds over 75 mph, ranking them among the top 25 hitters.
Now, their bat speeds are over 73 mph, which is still excellent and better than the league average of 71.6 mph.
Despite the decrease, Soto’s bat speed remains impressive.