Late-inning woes doom Yankees 5-6 in subway showdown opener
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Follow UsNEW YORK — The New York Yankees’ nightmare season hit another low Friday night. A 6-5 defeat to the crosstown Mets extended their losing streak to five games. The Bronx Bombers have now dropped 15 of their past 21 contests.
The Yankees entered this season with championship aspirations. Instead, they find themselves 1.5 games behind Toronto in the AL East standings. Their collapse has been swift and comprehensive, affecting every aspect of their game.
Luke Weaver’s seventh-inning implosion highlighted the team’s ongoing struggles. Jeff McNeil’s clutch two-run homer off Weaver epitomized another winnable game slipping away at Citi Field.
Stroman fights, relief corps falter
Marcus Stroman delivered a gutsy performance in his second outing since returning from injury. The veteran right-hander battled through five innings, surrendering three runs on seven hits. He struck out four batters while keeping his team competitive.
Stroman’s effort provided a foundation for victory. Unfortunately, the Yankees’ bullpen continues to crumble in crucial moments. The relief staff has become the team’s Achilles’ heel during this troubling stretch.
Weaver’s recent struggles exemplify the bullpen’s broader issues. Once considered a reliable late-inning option, he has surrendered runs in three consecutive appearances. His numbers tell the story of decline.
Since returning from a hamstring injury on June 20, Weaver has allowed nine runs across seven outings. His ERA has skyrocketed from 1.05 to 3.19 during this period.
“We’re fully trusting him to get through that and he’s got the makeup to handle this,” manager Aaron Boone said.
The skipper’s confidence may be admirable, but results on the field suggest otherwise.
Domínguez provides offensive spark
Jasson Domínguez emerged as the Yankees’ offensive catalyst Friday night. The rookie sensation blasted two home runs, bringing his season total to seven. His power display offered a glimpse of hope amid the team’s struggles.
Domínguez opened the scoring with a towering shot to left-center field. The blast came off Mets rookie Justin Hagenman in the first inning. Aaron Judge followed immediately with his 32nd homer of the campaign.
The young outfielder struck again in the fifth frame. His two-run blast gave the Yankees a 5-3 advantage. Cody Bellinger also contributed with a solo shot during the power surge.
Despite his offensive heroics, Domínguez couldn’t deliver when it mattered most. With the tying run on deck in the ninth inning, he grounded out weakly to Jeff McNeil. The failure left Judge stranded in the on-deck circle.
Soto haunts former team
Juan Soto reminded everyone why he earned NL Player of the Month honors in June. The Mets’ star outfielder torched his former team with a 3-for-4 performance. His night included a two-run homer, double, and single.
Soto’s first-inning blast off Stroman knotted the game at 2-2. The homer followed Brandon Nimmo‘s double that sailed over Domínguez’s head. Statcast calculated the catch probability at 99 percent.
The defensive miscue proved costly for the Yankees. Domínguez acknowledged after the game that he misread the line drive. Such mistakes have become commonplace during the Yankees’ recent slide.
Soto’s performance energized the home crowd at Citi Field. The reception contrasted sharply with the hostile welcome he received at Yankee Stadium earlier this season.
McNeil delivers knockout punch
Jeff McNeil authored the game’s decisive moment in the seventh inning. With two outs and the Mets trailing 5-4, Pete Alonso worked a six-pitch walk against Weaver. McNeil then crushed a full-count changeup into the upper deck.
“I don’t hit that many home runs in that situation, so to do it, I enjoyed that one,” McNeil said.
His contributions didn’t end with the bat. McNeil made a spectacular diving stop at second base in the ninth inning. The defensive gem robbed DJ LeMahieu of a potential game-tying single.
The play prevented Judge from batting with runners in scoring position. McNeil’s glove work preserved the Mets’ slim one-run advantage.
Defensive lapses continue Yankees’ agony
The Yankees’ problems extend far beyond their bullpen struggles. Defensive miscues and questionable tactical decisions continue plaguing the franchise.
Domínguez’s first-inning misread established an early tone of sloppy play. Jazz Chisholm Jr. committed another awkward throwing error at third base. While the mistake didn’t result in a run, it highlighted ongoing positional concerns.
Anthony Volpe’s offensive struggles prompted a pinch-hitting decision in the ninth inning. The young shortstop remains mired in a prolonged slump.
“Mixed bag,” Boone said when describing Volpe’s situation. “He’s going through it right now.”
Such instability creates a domino effect throughout the lineup. The Yankees lack the consistent execution championship teams require.
Mets surge while Yankees stumble
The Mets have won three straight games while climbing the National League East standings. Friday’s victory pulled them within a half-game of first-place Philadelphia.
Hagenman settled down after surrendering back-to-back homers to open the game. The rookie pitched 4⅓ innings in his first major league start. He allowed four runs while keeping his team within striking distance.
Reed Garrett earned a two-inning save with Edwin Díaz unavailable. The reliever dominated Yankees hitters, retiring the side in order during the ninth frame.
Crisis mode in the Bronx
The Yankees face a crisis of confidence as their season unravels. Preseason World Series favorites now battle to stay relevant in the playoff race.
Their July collapse shows no signs of slowing. A week ago, they led the division. Now they chase Toronto while facing mounting pressure.
The team’s fundamental issues run deeper than any single game or player. Bullpen failures, defensive breakdowns, and inconsistent offense create a perfect storm of dysfunction.
Without significant improvement, the Yankees’ championship window may slam shut. Time is running out to salvage what began as a season of promise.
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