Yankees Snap Losing Streak with 6-4 Victory Over Mets
Aaron Judge's 33rd home run set the tone for the New York Yankees as they defeated the Mets 6-4 on Sunday, halting a six-game losing streak and avoiding a Subway Series sweep. Judge's two-run blast in the fifth inning off Brandon Waddell contributed to a three-RBI day, giving starting pitcher Max Fried a comfortable 5-0 cushion.
Fried, now boasting an impressive 11-2 record, improved to 9-1 in his last 12 starts following Yankees losses. The game took a pivotal turn in the seventh inning when Judge's sacrifice fly restored a two-run lead, setting the stage for Cody Bellinger's remarkable defensive play.
With Juan Soto at bat, Bellinger executed a shoestring catch on a sinking drive that had only a 30% chance of being made. His subsequent throw to first base clocked in at 89.9 mph, catching Francisco Lindor off guard and completing a double play.
This defensive gem was part of a series of impressive plays by the Yankees, who turned three double plays in consecutive innings. Hayden Senger grounded into a double play with the bases loaded in the sixth, while Judge showcased his skills with a tumbling catch on Starling Marte's liner. In the eighth, Paul Goldschmidt made an unassisted double play, tagging Ronny Mauricio and stepping on first base after fielding Brett Baty's hard grounder.
The Yankees had been struggling, having lost 16 of their last 22 games, but this victory also ended the Mets' four-game winning streak. Austin Wells contributed to the score with a home run in the third inning off Zach Pop, who was making his debut for the Mets.
In the fifth inning, Francisco Lindor hit a two-run single off Fried, but it wasn't enough to shift momentum back to the Mets. Devin Williams closed out the game with a perfect ninth inning for his 12th save in 13 opportunities. Tensions flared when Mets manager Carlos Mendoza was ejected after two controversial called strikes on Luis Torrens, marking his second ejection in just nine days.
As the game concluded with Lindor striking out while attempting to check his swing, Fried struck out Soto and retired Pete Alonso on a deep flyout, sealing the Yankees' victory. Judge's performance included 11 first-pitch homers this season, matching his career high.
Looking ahead, the Yankees will face Seattle on Tuesday night with rookie Will Warren (5-4, 5.02 ERA) on the mound against RHP Logan Gilbert (2-2, 3.40). The Mets will take on Baltimore with Clay Holmes (8-4, 2.99) facing rookie Brandon Young (0-3, 7.02 ERA).
