Jul 26, 2022; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz (39) reacts after getting the last out during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

It was the battle of the boroughs on Tuesday night in Flushing, where the Mets hosted the Yankees in a classic Subway Series matchup. With the All-Star break in the rearview mirror, every game is a meaningful one for both teams in New York. The Mets entered play just two games ahead of the Atlanta Braves in the National League East, while the Yankees look to hold onto the top seed in the American League with the Houston Astros right on their tail.

The Mets bested the Yankees by the score of 6-3, winning the first matchup between the two teams. The Mets offense provided enough support for their pitching to hold up. The staff’s ability to escape jams all night kept the Mets in the lead the whole way through.

The bats were alive and well for both parties right from the get-go. The Yankees wasted no time by getting on the board with back-to-back solo shots in the top of the first inning off of Taijuan Walker. Aaron Judge drilled a 2-2 fastball with an exit velocity of 112mph into the bullpen in right-center field. On the very next pitch, Anthony Rizzo lined one over the wall in left field to put the Yankees up 2-0. It was Judge’s third career home run against Walker in just his ninth at bat.

The Mets got their first turn at the plate with a two-run deficit. Starling Marte provided the spark by ripping a solo home run to left. After Francisco Lindor doubled down the right field line, Pete Alonso hit a double of his own to bring Lindor in to score. Alonso regained the league-leading RBI total after Judge tied him at 82 earlier in the inning.

Then, Eduardo Escobar gave the Mets fans something to cheer for. He crushed a two-run shot to give the Mets the lead. After going down early, the Mets offense bounced bag in a big way. It was Escobar’s biggest moment in a Mets uniform.

Walker’s struggles continued into the second inning by allowing back-to-back singles with one out. He was able to catch Isiah Kiner-Falefa sleeping when he picked him off at first base. Kiner-Falefa leads the Yankees in stolen bases this season and was looking to swipe another bag before being called out. Walker snagged a hard-hit line drive back at him to end the inning without allowing any runs.

Walker allowed two more baserunners in the third without allowing further damage. He was able to strike out the red-hot Matt Carpenter to end the inning after allowing a single and hit-by-pitch.

Marte led off the third inning with a double into the gap, his second extra base hit in his first two at-bats. He wound up scoring on an errant throw from Josh Donaldson when the ball bounced off the side of Lindor’s helmet and trickled onto the outfield grass, allowing Marte to turn on his wheels and come home. It was an important insurance run for Walker and the Mets’ chances to win.

Aaron Hicks and Kiner-Falefa began the fourth frame with a base hit each. A broken-bat grounder to Escobar at third proved to be too tough to get the speedy Kiner-Falefa at second base, allowing the Yankees to load up the bases with one out. DJ LeMahieu picked up an RBI on a fielder’s choice to bring the game to 5-3, Mets lead. After pitching around the major league leader in home runs, Walker fell behind to a 3-0 count to Rizzo. With a green light, Rizzo lifted a deep fly ball to center field which had just enough room for Brandon Nimmo to make the catch to end the great scoring chance for the Bronx Bombers.

Walker didn’t have his best stuff in this one but was able to manage throughout the game. He turned a shaky start into a quality one. His final line – 6 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K. He toughed this one out with everything he had to keep the Mets afloat. It was a gutsy victory in his first start coming out of the break. After struggling in the second half last year, hopefully, this game will help him push through the final two months of the schedule.

Adam Ottavino continued his strong campaign adding 1 2/3 innings of scoreless ball. Edwin Díaz earned a four-out save after coming into the game to face Joey Gallo in the eighth inning with a runner on base, striking him out with a slider below the zone.

Alonso had a great game being the steady cog in the middle of the lineup, going 3 for 3 and a walk, reaching base safely in every plate appearance.

McNeil picked up a late-game RBI in the bottom of the eighth inning to add some insurance for Díaz. McNeil also made a tremendous barehand play earlier in the game to keep LeMahieu off the base path before Judge stepped up to the plate with a chance to tie the game.

Diaz got Judge to chop into a double play but as he turned to fire to second base the ball slipped out of his hand to put two runners on with one out.

But, Diaz was at his best. Rizzo and Torres stood no match to the All-Star, as he struck both out to end the game.

Player of the Game: Starling Marte

Marte played a crucial role in the Mets’ victory over their cross-town rivals. He put the Mets on the board after a tough start for the team with his homer that cleared the left field wall. After ripping a double into the gap, he made the heads-up play to score from second base on the throwing error from Donaldson. His final line – 2 for 4, HR, 2B, RBI, and 2 R.

On Deck

The Mets will host the Yankees for the final game of the 2-game series on Wednesday evening at 7:10 pm. The game will be broadcast on national TV on ESPN. Max Scherzer (6-2, 2.28 ERA, 98 SO) gets the ball for the Mets, matching up against Domingo Germán (0-1, 15.00 ERA, 2 SO), who’s making only hi second appearance this season. With their ace on the mound, the Mets will try for the two-game sweep.