Jeff McNeil continued his fast start to the second half by hitting a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the sixth inning and the visiting New York Mets hung on for a 3-2 victory over the New York Yankees on Tuesday.
The Mets improved to 3-0 in the season series with the Yankees after arriving back to New York following a 6-4 win over the Miami Marlins on Monday around 5 a.m. on Tuesday following a lengthy flight delay.
McNeil hit his fourth homer since the All-Star break when he connected against reliever Michael Tonkin (3-4). McNeil gave the Mets a 3-1 lead when socked hit a full-count fastball into the Yankees’ bullpen beyond the center field wall.
McNeil’s ninth homer of the season came after the Mets loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth and settled for one run thanks to the second baseman’s baserunning miscue.
With McNeil on second and Luis Torrens at first, Tyrone Taylor hit a high fly ball to the gap in left-center field in front of the Mets’ bullpen. Alex Verdugo was unable to make the catch, but McNeil went back and tagged up before Torrens barely avoided passing him.
After Harrison Bader flied out, Yankees rookie Luis Gil plunked Francisco Lindor on the left arm to drive in McNeil.
Mets starter Jose Quintana (5-6) survived issuing five walks and held the Yankees to one run on three hits in five innings. He fanned six. Three of the walks were to Aaron Judge, who drew four free passes in a game for the fourth time in his career.
Gleyber Torres homered in the second for the Yankees, who lost for the 21st time in 31 games since June 15. Verdugo hit an RBI double in the sixth off Adam Ottavino, and the Yankees threatened again in the seventh.
Mets rookie reliever Dedniel Nunez committed an error when he dropped a throw from first baseman Pete Alonso to open the seventh, Nunez fanned Juan Soto, then intentionally walked Judge before retiring pinch hitter Ben Rice and Anthony Volpe.
Phil Maton stranded a Yankees runner in the eighth, and Jake Diekman highlighted his fourth save by striking out Judge with Juan Soto on first.
Gil allowed one run on four hits in five innings. The right-hander struck out six and walked one.