Mets 12 Yankees 3 (Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY)
Mets record: 53-48
Mets streak: Won 3
WP - Adam Ottavino (2-2)
LP - Gerrit Cole (3-2)
Seat On The Korner: Tyrone Taylor
We select the star of the game and virtually invite him to a Seat on the Korner, just as Ralph Kiner used to do for his studio postgame show on WOR-channel 9 broadcasts in the early decades of the Mets.
Today's Seat On The Korner goes to Tyrone Taylor, who got the start because Harrison Bader tweaked something in his ill-fated steal attempt Tuesday night. Tayor homered off Gerrit Cole to tie the game in the third, had an RBI single in the sixth and a highlight reel catch in center field when the game was still in doubt. Taylor's three-hit, two-RBI night earns him the seat.
Need To Know:
The Mets swept the Subway series for only the second time in franchise history. The last time the Mets swept the Bronx Bombers was in 2013.
The Mets are now 5 games above .500, their season high and the first time they have been that much to the good since April 23, 2023.
Francisco Lindor extended his hitting streak to nine games; his fifth-inning homer, his 20th, made him the fifth player in franchise history to record multiple 20 doubles/homers/stolen bases. And then, in the eighth, he hit his second home run to give the Mets and 11-2 lead. Lindor has hit .370 (13-35) over that span.
Pete Alonso's home run was his ninth in 26 games against the Yankees, tying David Wright for the most dingers by a Met versus the Bombers.
Jose Iglesias was miked up to chat with the ESPN broadcast crew in the second inning. Unlike some other players, who let themselves be distracted by the conversation and made key errors as a result, Iglesias notably shut down the byplay as each pitch was delivered. The inning ended with Iglesias as the middle of a 5-4-3 double play. On the way to the dugout, he congratulated Mark Vientos and, for the fans watching at home, sang a few bars of OMG on the way into the dugout.
The Mets got good news on pitcher Christian Scott: an ulnar collateral ligament strain and elbow inflammation that they hope will get better with rest. They are shutting him down for two weeks, after which they will reassess. The injury is similar to one he suffered last year in Double A; he missed three weeks before making two starts to end last season. The Mets hope to have him back sometime later this year.
As much as they'd like to, the Mets can't savor the Yankees sweep. The Braves come to town for a four-game series that begins Thursday. Luis Severino takes the mound at Citi Field against the well-traveled TBA.
Turning Point
Bottom of the fifth inning, Mets leading 5-2 and Sean Manaea clearly tiring after getting two quick outs. Manaea walked Juan Soto, hit Aaron Judge and walked Austin Wells to put the tying runs on base. The Yankees appeared set to turn the tide. Out went Manaea, in came Adam Ottavino to face Anthony Volpe, who was hitting .409 over his last six games. Ottavino, who has not inspired much confidence recently, retired Volpe on a fielder's choice grounder to Francisco Lindor, ending the Yankees' threat. After that, it was off to the races for the Mets.
Three Keys:
Mets Again Make Cole Slaw
For the second time this year, the Mets put up a six spot against Yankees ace Gerrit Cole. Unlike June 25, when Cole failed to record a strikeout and surrendered four home runs, Cole lasted five and two-thirds innings this time and did strike out four. But he gave up three home runs (to Tyrone Taylor, Pete alonso and Francisco Lindor) and an RBI single to Tyrone Taylor on his 100th and last pitch. If you're the Yankees, not what you want from your stopper when you are trying to avoid being swept. If you're the Mets, it's the perfect bookend to a four-game sweep.
The Floodgates Open
The Mets pounded 14 hits against four Yankee pitchers, eight of them for extra bases. Home runs by Tyrone Tylor, Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor twice and Mark Vientos. Doubles by J.D. Martinez and Jeff McNeil twice. What was a tense game became a laugher, especially after the six-run eighth. Brandon Nimmo was the only Mets starter not to get a hit. Actually, this barrage should come as no surprise given the history of some of the lineup against the Yankees: Jose Iglesias has a .344 career avergae against the Bombers, McNeil, .340 and Lindor, .316. Alonso has hit nine home runs in 26 games, most of them coming in the Bronx. Iglesias' average is tied for the highest among active players against the Yanks.
The Bullpen Rises to the occasion....AGAIN?
With the game on the brink, Adam Ottvino retired Austin Wells in the fifth with the tying run on base. Danny Young pitched a scoreless sixth and Alex Young topped that with two scoreless frames. By the time it got to Adrian Houser for the ninth inning mopup work, it didn't matter that he gave up two hits and a meaningless run that in a closer game could have caused some blood pressure increases. Best of all, Edwin Diaz wasn't needed, making him fresh for the Braves series.
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