NEW YORKIn a Subway Series opener between two teams who faltered after good beginnings, Jeff McNeil led the New York Mets 6-5 on Friday after hitting a game-winning two-run homer off Luke Weaver in the seventh inning.
In the sixth inning, Brett Baty launched a single shot off Ian Hamilton to cut the Yankees’ lead to 5-4, then Juan Soto hit a two-run homer among three hits against his old team.
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In the seventh, Weaver (1-3) walked Pete Alonso after coming in as a relief pitcher with two outs. During a collapse that knocked the Yankees out of the AL East lead, McNeil hit a changeup into the right-field upper deck at Citi Field, resulting in their fifth consecutive loss.
Jasson Dominguez blasted two opposite-field home runs and drove in three runs to snap a 32-game home runless slide. Cody Bellinger also went deep for the Yankees, and Dominguez and Judge opened the game with back-to-back home runs, including Judge’s 32nd of the season.
With the help of a fantastic defensive play by McNeil at second base in the ninth, Reed Garrett recorded his third save with six outs, while Huascar Brazob (4-2) pitched a hitless seventh.
The Yankees are 6-15 and the Mets are 6-14 since their big league-best 45-24 and 42-25 performances on June 12.
Right-hander Justin Hagenman, 28, made his first major league start and gave up four runs and five hits in 4 1/3 innings while 13 other Mets pitchers were on the injured list.
In five innings against his old team, Marcus Stroman, the Yankees’ starter, allowed three runs and seven hits.
After Dominguez misplayed Brandon Nimmo’s leadoff double, Soto launched his 21st home run of the season in the first inning.
Crucial moment
Weaver threw him six changeups before McNeil hit his home run on the fourth.
Important statistic
In three consecutive games, Weaver has given up home runs. He has a 13.50 ERA in seven appearances since returning from a strained left hamstring, after recording a 1.05 ERA in his first 24 games.
Next up
On Saturday, Mets RHP Frankie Montas (0-1, 6.00) and Yankees LHP Carlos Rodn (9-5, 2.95 ERA) will start.
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