YANKEES 8 - METS 7 Game 1
YANKEES 5 - METS 2 Game 2
It was the tale of two teams. On one side the New York Yankees, who ended a seven-game losing streak on a walk-off wild pitch on Saturday, twice came from behind, using extra innings to beat back a stubborn Mets squad to get themselves back on track in the American League East.
On the other side, a golden opportunity slipped through the Mets fingers. They had a chance to win every single game of this Subway Series, and probably, and most certainly should have won at least four of them.
Instead the Mets limped back to Citi Field four games under .500 rather then being at the .500 mark. A weekend that has been emblematic of their troubled season.
Game 1 looked like it was going to be all Mets. The Amazin's built a 7-2 lead behind a two-run blast by Robinson Cano in the fourth inning, a two-run double by Michael Conforto an inning later, and a hit by pitch of Pete Alonso with the bases loaded in the sixth. Everything was going the Mets way.
They had a five-run lead. Rick Porcello pitched well enough to get the victory, and the Yankees beat up and struggling lineup had no answer for the Mets bullpen as had been the case on Friday and Saturday.
That was until the seventh inning.
A throwing error by Shortstop Andres Giminez started the Yankee rally, allowing the usually slow footed Mike Ford to reach first base. Two batters later, reliever Jarred Hughes lost complete command, walking Tyler Wade and hitting Thairo Estrada to load the bases.
Mets skipper Luis Rojas gave Hughes one more opportunity to get the final out of the ball game, but a single by Luke Voit brought home Ford to make it 7-4. It didn't help matters that Giminez dropped what would have been the final out on a relay to third base as Wade slide in safely.
Instead the inning continued. Enter Edwin Diaz, and as per usual, it was a calamity for the Mets. A wild pitch brought home Wade to cut the Mets lead to two runs at 7-5. Finally a Diaz fastball hung as Aaron Hicks crushed it over the left field bleachers for a two-run homer, tying the game at seven.
For the Yankees, it was a miracle. For the Mets, it was their worst collapse of the season.
After the Mets went quietly without advancing the runner in the top of the eighth inning, the Yankees took the game on a Gio Urshela single to plate Mike Tauchman to send the Yankees to a thrilling 8-7 victory.
Game 2 was equally tense.
The Yankees held a 1-0 lead for much of the evening behind rookie Deivi Garcia, who tossed six brilliant innings in his first start in the Bronx. However the Mets tied the game at one in the top of the sixth, thanks in major part to an error by Luke Voit at first that allowed Jeff McNeil to reach. McNeil would later score on a single by Dom Smith.
Still tied at one heading into the seventh inning, and the Yankees loaded the bases for Gary Sanchez, who pinch hit for Erik Kratz.
Turned out to be the right call for Manager Aaron Boone.
Sanchez destroyed a fastball from Drew Smith, launching deep into the bleachers in left for a grand slam homer to put the Yankees out in front 5-1.
The Bombers did sweat it out a little bit in the bottom of the seventh when the Mets scored a run and loaded the bases for Wilson Ramos, but Ramos struck out swinging on a 2-2 pitch to end it.
The Yankees survived the weekend; ending a seven game-skid and beginning a three-game winning streak in the process. The Mets? Their disaster of a season continues.
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