The Mets clawed out a gritty 3-2 win over the Yankees on Saturday afternoon in the Bronx, thanks to a clutch sacrifice fly from Francisco Lindor in the top of the ninth and a gutsy save from Edwin Díaz to close it out.
With the game tied entering the ninth, the Mets loaded the bases on a walk, an infield single, and a hit-by-pitch. Lindor then lifted a fly ball deep enough to right-center to bring home pinch-runner Luisangel Acuña and give the Mets the lead. Díaz then shut the door in dramatic fashion, striking out Aaron Judge on a 3-2 high fastball to end it.
The bullpen held strong, particularly Reed Garrett, who danced out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth to preserve the tie. Despite three walks and a Volpe double, Garrett escaped with a 6-4-3 double play and a hard liner caught by Juan Soto in right.
Starter Griffin Canning was solid, allowing two solo homers across 5.1 innings while neutralizing Judge in three key at-bats. Huascar Brazoban helped strand two runners in the sixth to keep things even.
The Mets’ two runs in the fourth came on a Lindor RBI groundout and a Mark Vientos sac fly, after Juan Soto swiped third to set up the second run.
DJ LeMahieu and Cody Bellinger homered for the Yankees, who went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position, leaving nine on base.
The rubber match is set for Sunday at 7:10 p.m., with David Peterson set to face undefeated Yankees ace, Max Fried.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].