NEW YORK — Jeff McNeil continued his sudden surge in power with a game-tying two-run home run in the sixth inning, and the New York Mets held off the New York Yankees 3-2 on Tuesday night in their Subway Series opener.
Jose Quintana (5-6) and five relievers combined for a five-hitter at Yankee Stadium as the Mets (52-48) matched their season record of four games over .500. They are 3-0 against their city rivals, including a two-game sweep at Citi Field last month.
With closer Edwin Díaz unavailable, Jake Diekman threw a no-hitter ninth for his fourth save. After walking Juan Soto with one out, the veteran lefty froze Aaron Judge with a 96 mph fastball to the inside corner for a third strike, and then retired rookie Ben Rice on a grounder to end it.
The Mets had beaten Judge the first four times, once intentionally, but the Yankees were unable to capitalize.
Gleyber Torres scored early and Alex Verdugo had an RBI double for the struggling Yankees. Rookie right-hander Luis Gil struck out six in five solid innings, giving up his only run when he hit Francisco Lindor with a bases-loaded pitch in the fifth.
The score was 1-all when Pete Alonso greeted Michael Tonkin (3-4), cut twice by the Mets earlier this season, with a double in the sixth. One later, McNeil launched his ninth home run of the year – his fourth in five games since the All-Star break – to put the Mets ahead for good.
After recovering from a fever last weekend, Quintana allowed one run and three hits in five innings in his first start since the break. He struck out six and walked five.
It was another joyful victory for the Sleep-deprived Mets, who arrived home in the early hours of Tuesday after their flight from Miami was delayed.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mets: rookie RHP Christian Scott was placed on the 15-day injured list with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament on his throwing elbow. New York coach Carlos Mendoza said Scott will be examined by several doctors before determining how much time he could miss. … RHP Sean Reid-Foley (shoulder impingement) faced hitters on Monday and expects to make a rehab appearance on Thursday with High-A Brooklyn.
Yankees: OF Jasson Domínguez (oblique strain) took live batting practice Monday at the team’s Florida complex and is headed to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to improve. He can play during the week. “So he’s getting close,” coach Aaron Boone said.
NEXT
Yankees ace Gerrit Cole (3-1, 4.60 ERA) starts Wednesday night against LHP Sean Manaea (6-4, 3.73) as the Mets attempt a four-game series sweep of the season.
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