McNeil homer sends Mets to win over Yankees in Subway Series opener

NEW YORK (AP) — Jeff McNeil kept up his sudden power surge with a two-run homer that snapped a sixth-inning tie, and the New York Mets held off the New York Yankees 3-2 on Tuesday night in their Subway Series opener.

With both teams in playoff positions, Jose Quintana (5-6) and five relievers combined on a five-hitter before a sellout crowd of 47,453 at Yankee Stadium as the Mets (52-48) matched their season high of four games over .500.

Under rookie manager Carlos Mendoza, who spent the previous four years as the Yankees' bench coach, the Mets are 3-0 against their crosstown rivals — including a two-game sweep at Citi Field last month.

“It’s a really good team win,” reliever Jake Diekman said.

Diekman worked a hitless ninth for his fourth save, subbing for Edwin Díaz because the star closer was unavailable following a 28-pitch outing Monday. After walking Juan Soto with one out, the veteran lefty froze Aaron Judge with a 96 mph fastball on the inside corner for a called third strike, then retired rookie Ben Rice on a game-ending grounder.

“He showed us a lot right there,” McNeil said.

The Mets had walked Judge his first four times up, once intentionally, but the Yankees couldn't capitalize.

“I know how hot he is right now,” Quintana said.

Of the 19 pitches Judge saw, the only four in the strike zone were thrown by Diekman in the ninth.

“The last heater was spotted perfectly,” Diekman said. "I just challenged him and made quality pitches.”

Judge insisted he wasn’t frustrated by the Mets’ approach.

“I think they’re just trying to be a little careful and you’ve just got to pass the baton to the next guy,” he said. “It’s part of it. It’s a team game. Even if I went 4 for 4 today, we still might not win. So it’s just about, if I get a pitch to hit I’ve got to do some damage on it."

Gleyber Torres homered early and Alex Verdugo had an RBI double for the scuffling Yankees. Rookie right-hander Luis Gil struck out six in five solid innings, yielding his only run when he plunked 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 early this season, with a leadoff double in the sixth. One out later, McNeil launched his ninth home run of the year — fourth in five games since the All-Star break — to put the Mets ahead for good.

“More confident. I feel like my swing is right where it needs to be,” McNeil said. “I feel a lot better. I feel like myself. ... I'm swinging the bat freely. I'm trying to get a good pitch I can drive.”

After recovering from a fever last weekend, Quintana permitted one run and three hits over five innings in his first start since the break. He struck out six and walked five.

It was another feel-good win for the sleep-deprived Mets, who arrived home in the wee hours Tuesday morning after their flight from Miami was delayed.

“We've had travel delays before,” McNeil said. “We were all prepared, and we showed it out there.”

TRAINER'S ROOM

Mets: Rookie RHP Christian Scott was placed on the 15-day injured list with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow. Mendoza said Scott will be examined by multiple doctors before it’s determined how much time he could miss. ... RHP Sean Reid-Foley (shoulder impingement) faced hitters Monday and hopes to make a rehab appearance Thursday with High-A Brooklyn.

Yankees: OF Jasson Domínguez (oblique strain) took live batting practice Monday at the team's complex in Florida and is headed to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to ramp up. He could be playing games within the week. “So he's getting close,” manager Aaron Boone said.

UP NEXT

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole (3-1, 4.60 ERA) starts Wednesday night against LHP Sean Manaea (6-4, 3.73) as the Mets try to sweep the season series.

Cole was tagged by the Mets for six runs and seven hits — including four homers — over four innings June 25 at Citi Field in his second start of the season after returning from an elbow injury.

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