Yankees, Mets battle in rubber game of Subway Series

The first two games of a hyped Subway Series between the New York Mets and New York Yankees came down to dramatic encounters between sluggers Juan Soto and Aaron Judge against opposing closers.

So far, the weekend is a split decision and the Yankees will host the Mets in the rubber game of the intense three-game series on Sunday night.

Soto is 1-for-6 during the two games in his first appearances at Yankee Stadium after joining the Mets on a 15-year, $765 million contract following his lone season hitting in front of Judge with the Yankees. Hearing boos before every plate appearance, Soto made the final out of a 6-2 loss on Friday when he flew out with two on against Luke Weaver. Soto is hitting .252 so far.

Soto helped the Mets even the series in their 3-2 win on Saturday. Soto singled, stole third base and scored on a sacrifice fly by Mark Vientos as the Mets took a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning, before Francisco Lindor hit a tie-breaking sacrifice fly with the bases loaded in the ninth off Fernando Cruz.

"That's what you call a big-league game, big-league matchup," manager Carlos Mendoza said after the Mets avoided their first three-game losing streak. "Every pitch was intense, every play."

Judge is 2-for-9 in the series and his average is down to .402. He singled twice Friday but his average dropped 12 points when he went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts on Saturday.

Judge ended the Yankees' fourth loss in 10 games by striking out on a full-count fastball against Edwin Diaz while representing the tying run.

DJ LeMahieu and Cody Bellinger hit home runs in the game.

"It's been incredible, last night was fun to be a part of," said Bellinger, who is on a 12-game hitting streak. "To be a part of the first Subway Series, it's been exciting."

The Mets will attempt to produce offense against Max Fried (6-0, 1.11 ERA).

Fried is coming off a pair of no-decisions. Fried had his second-shortest outing as a Yankee on Tuesday when he allowed one run on four hits in five innings in a 2-1, 11-inning loss to the Seattle Mariners.

The left-hander is 9-5 with a 2.48 ERA in 23 career appearances (18 starts) against the Mets, who have batted .220 against him. While Lindor is 3-for-28 lifetime against Fried, Soto is 9-for-27 and Pete Alonso is 10-for-36 against him.

David Peterson (2-2, 3.05) is scheduled to pitch Sunday for the Mets. Peterson completed six innings for the fourth time Monday when he took a no-decision and allowed two runs on five hits in six innings in a 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Peterson does not have a decision and has a 6.23 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) against the Yankees.

The left-hander last faced the Yankees June 25 at Citi Field when he survived issuing five walks by limiting the Yankees to one run on three hits in 4 1/3 innings of a no-decision in a 9-7 Mets win.

-Field Level Media