Mets cannot overcome makeshift pitching effort, drop Subway Series finale to Yankees

The Mets put up a fight against Max Fried but could not get over the top after some shaky pitching efforts in a 6-4 loss to the Yankees on Sunday.

NEW YORK — The hardest part for the Mets always going to come on Sunday afternoon.

As the Mets looked to square up a Subway Series victory, the most daunting pitching task was set for the finale.

On the mound for the Yankees was early American League Cy Young contender Max Fried. For the Mets? It was a puzzle for Carlos Mendoza to piece together with a collection of recent signings and call-ups.

The Mets put up a fight against Fried but could not get over the top after some shaky outings from their staff in a 6-4 loss in front of 41,117 fans at Citi Field.

The Mets had already shored up the series victory but had to settle for a 3-3 split on the season against their crosstown rivals. The loss dropped the Mets to 52-39 and 1.5 games behind the Phillies for the National League East lead.

Starling Marte, Mets push Max Fried

New York Mets left fielder Starling Marte (6) beats the tag by New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) at second base during the first inning on July 6, 2025, at Citi Field.

Fried proved how tough he has been since joining the Yankees early in Sunday's game.

Through the opening four innings, Starling Marte had provided the only pair of hits for the Mets on a bunt single and a bloop into right field. The only other baserunner came on a two-out walk from Bandon Nimmo.

The Mets broke through in the bottom of the fifth inning, with Jeff McNeil and Hayden Senger flipping over the lineup with back-to-back one-out singles. Marte loaded the bases with his third hit before Francisco Lindor laced a two-run single up the middle to cut the deficit to 5-2.

But the heart of the Mets' lineup could not deliver a knockout blow against Fried, as Juan Soto struck out and Pete Alonso flew out.

The Mets tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, with three straight hits off Jonathan Loaisiga but a double play by Senger and a diving catch by Aaron Judge snuffed out the threat to keep it 5-4.

Mets run out of firepower in the bullpen

New York Mets relief pitcher Chris Devenski (49) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the New York Yankees on July 6, 2025, at Citi Field.

In the series opener on Friday afternoon, Reed Garrett did the heavy lifting for the Mets with a six-out save in support of Justin Hagenman.

On Saturday afternoon, despite a six-run lead, Mendoza began to warm up Ryne Stanek and felt like he needed to use him. It took 37 pitches for Stanek to navigate the eighth inning. That led Edwin Diaz to be warmed up and used, as well.

In the series finale, that left Mendoza to deploy a trio of relievers that had been called up or signed in the last three days.

Chris Devenski delivered two scoreless innings in a spot start but Zach Pop, who was signed and activated did not fare as well. Pop gave up a solo home run to Austin Wells and three hits as part of a two-run fourth inning that moved the Mets behind 3-0.

The lefty Brandon Waddell, who has been up since June 25, conceded a two-run home run to Aaron Judge to make it 5-0.

Help on the way for the Mets

May 19, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Kodai Senga (34) pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

The Mets could receive reinforcements for their starting rotation over the next week.

Kodai Senga made his first rehab assignment in Double-A Binghamton on Saturday night, and that could be all he needs to make a return from his low-grade hamstring strain. The Mets righty kept his arm moving throughout the recovery process and threw 68 pitches across 3⅔ innings for the Rumble Ponies.

Despite mixed results, with three earned runs allowed on six hits and two walks and four strikeouts, Mendoza said that the team will wait to see how Senga bounces back over the next few days, with the hope that he can return to the rotation on the road in Kansas City next week.

Sean Manaea could follow suit. The veteran lefty, who has been sidelined throughout 2025 due to an oblique strain, is set to make his sixth rehab appearance on Tuesday. Last time out, he threw 60 pitches for Double-A Binghamton and this could be his final hurdle to clear before making his season debut.

The returns of Senga and Manaea are badly needed for a rotation that has seen Griffin Canning (ruptured Achillies) and Paul Blackburn (right shoulder impingement) go down in the last week.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets: Pitching squeezed by injuries, drop series finale to Yankees

Category: Baseball