The Yankees unleashed months of pent-up frustration in a commanding 6-2 victory over the Mets on Friday night at Yankee Stadium, kicking off the latest chapter of the Subway Series. The game also marked Juan Soto’s highly anticipated return to the Bronx after making the offseason move to the Mets.
Soto, who was met with a chorus of boos during his first at-bat, went 0-for-2 with three walks, a run, and a stolen base. His night ended with a flyout to center field, stranding two runners as the Mets’ attempt at a late rally fell short. The reaction from the Yankees’ crowd was thunderous, reminding Soto of what he left behind. When asked if it was the loudest he’d ever been booed, he admitted, “I think so. They were really loud.”
Soto playfully tipped his helmet to the hostile crowd before taking his first at-bat — a move that drew some laughs from his teammates. “I just did it. The guys loved it,” he said.
As Soto jogged out to right field in the bottom of the first, a group of fans known as the Bleacher Creatures turned their backs on him in protest — more reminiscent of a college basketball stunt than a typical MLB response. Soto said he didn’t notice the gesture, focusing instead on the jeers raining down from the stands. “I was just listening to the boos,” he said. “I tried not to have any eye contact.”
The Yankees (now 26-18) made their statement early, tagging Mets starter Tylor Megill for four runs in the third inning. Paul Goldschmidt delivered the biggest blow with a two-RBI single. Anthony Volpe followed with a sacrifice fly, and Oswald Peraza forced in another run with a bases-loaded walk.
Megill struggled through 2.2 innings, giving up four hits and four walks while striking out five.
The Mets (28-17) got on the board in the fourth thanks to a Brandon Nimmo RBI single, but Goldschmidt answered with another run-scoring hit later in the game, giving him three RBIs on the night. Jasson Dominguez capped off the Yankees’ scoring by beating out a potential double play that allowed Cody Bellinger to score from third base.
Carlos Rodon turned in a solid start for the Yankees, allowing just one run on two hits while striking out five and walking four over five innings. The bullpen handled the rest, as five relievers — including Jonathan Loaisiga, making his season debut after being activated from the injured list earlier in the day — limited the Mets to just three hits over the final four innings.
Francisco Lindor added a late run with an RBI double in the ninth, but Soto’s flyout ended any hope for a comeback and sealed a satisfying win for the Bronx faithful.
The Yankees made their point clear: even without Juan Soto, they remain a force to be reckoned with.
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