The Subway Series opener at Citi Field on July 4, 2025, delivered a classic New York baseball thriller. In a dramatic comeback, the New York Mets defeated the New York yankees 6-5, fueled by a standout performance from outfielder Juan Soto. This pivotal win marked the Mets’ third consecutive victory, helping them push past a recent challenging period. For the Yankees, however, the loss extended their slump to five straight defeats, highlighting ongoing pitching struggles.
For Juan Soto, this game offered a powerful moment of redemption against his former club. His previous appearance at Yankee Stadium in mid-May had been marked by relentless boos and visible discomfort. On Friday night in Queens, the atmosphere couldn’t have been more different. The home crowd welcomed the soon-to-be five-time All-Star with a roaring standing ovation before his first at-bat. Soto immediately responded, delivering a signature performance that underscored his value to the Mets lineup.
Soto finished the night 3-for-4, coming just a triple shy of hitting for the cycle. His offensive output included a crucial two-run home run, a sharp double, and a solid single. This impressive showing continued Soto’s scorching hot streak, which has seen him return to elite form over the past month. Teammates recognized his impact immediately. Second baseman Jeff McNeil, who would later deliver his own heroics, called Soto’s performance “awesome.” McNeil added, “He had a great day. Huge home run. That’s just who he is. It’s fun to watch and I feel like every time he comes to the plate, he’s going to do something cool.”
Early Drama and the Mets’ Quick Response
The game began with immediate fireworks from the Yankees offense. Rookie Mets pitcher Justin Hagenman, making his first career major league start, found himself on the ropes early. Yankees sluggers Jasson Domínguez and Aaron Judge hit back-to-back home runs to open the game, giving the visitors a quick 2-0 lead. Domínguez’s blast was his 7th of the season, followed by Judge’s 32nd. Hagenman later admitted he simply focused on keeping his team in the game despite the challenging start.
The deficit didn’t last long, thanks to the Mets’ catalyst. Just moments after the warm reception from the Citi Field faithful, Juan Soto stepped to the plate with a runner on. He lifted a two-run home run to left-center field for his 21st homer of the season, instantly tying the score at 2-2. This powerful response was vital, settling Hagenman down and seizing momentum back for the Mets. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza highlighted the significance, stating, “Juan responded right away, just getting the momentum right back. That was the setting-the-tone moment. ‘OK, they punch, we’re going to punch back. Here we are.'”
Back-and-Forth Battle on the Diamond
Following his game-tying homer in the first, the 26-year-old Soto continued to pepper the ball around the park. In the third inning, he ripped a 108.6-mph double to center field. He followed that with a single in the fifth inning. Even his final out, a flyout in the seventh, came off the bat at a hard-hit 106.8 mph.
The game itself remained a seesaw battle, characteristic of the intense Subway Series rivalry. The Mets took a brief 3-2 lead in the third inning when Pete Alonso drove in a run with an RBI single. However, the Yankees quickly responded with more home run power. Cody Bellinger hit his 13th home run of the season (and third against the Mets) to tie the game 3-3 in the fourth. Then, Jasson Domínguez hit his second homer of the night in the fifth inning off Mets reliever Austin Warren, putting the Yankees back in front, 5-3.
The Mets kept fighting, chipping away at the lead in the sixth inning. Brett Baty launched a solo home run off Yankees pitcher Ian Hamilton, narrowing the gap to 5-4. This set the stage for the decisive moment in the bottom of the seventh inning.
McNeil’s Clutch Performance Seals the Win
With two outs in the seventh, Mets first baseman Pete Alonso drew a crucial walk, extending the inning. This brought Jeff McNeil to the plate. McNeil battled Yankees reliever Luke Weaver, who had entered the game earlier. On a full-count changeup, McNeil drove a ball down the right-field line that soared over the wall for a go-ahead two-run home run. This blast gave the Mets a 6-5 lead and sent the Citi Field crowd into a frenzy. Weaver was charged with the blown save and the loss.
McNeil’s heroics weren’t limited to his bat. In the top of the ninth inning, with the Mets holding the slim lead, he made a critical defensive play. Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu hit a bloop toward second base. McNeil made a spectacular lunging grab and a quick throw to first base for the out, preventing the potential tying run from reaching base. McNeil emphasized the importance of the play, especially with Aaron Judge waiting in the on-deck circle, stating he didn’t want Judge coming up.
The Mets’ bullpen successfully closed out the game. Reed Garrett pitched the final two scoreless innings to earn the save, stepping up in the absence of closer Edwin Díaz. Garrett acknowledged the pressure and significance of getting the final six outs in a Subway Series contest.
Soto’s Resurgence and Team Trajectories
Much has changed for both New York clubs since their first meeting earlier in the season. Both the Mets and Yankees experienced difficult stretches starting around June 12th, causing them to fall from their earlier positions atop the standings. Both teams are also grappling with pitching injuries; the Mets, in particular, have faced significant challenges on the mound, including recent setbacks like outfielder Jose Buttó being placed on the injured list and pitcher Sean Manaea (referenced as Senga) scheduled for a Saturday rehab start.
Crucially for the Mets, Juan Soto has fully returned to his dominant form. After emerging from the Bronx series earlier this season with a .246 average and .822 OPS, his numbers dipped further through early June. This led to frustration among fans and talk radio, as the initial return on the team’s significant investment seemed underwhelming compared to the Mets’ otherwise strong start.
However, the narrative has completely flipped. Since June 6, Soto has been one of the most productive hitters in baseball. Over 27 games, he is hitting .348 with 10 home runs and a remarkable 1.185 OPS. This torrid stretch earned him National League Player of the Month honors for June. On the season, his 21 home runs are tied for ninth in Major League Baseball, and his .916 OPS ranks seventh. This is the kind of consistent, high-impact production the Mets expected and the kind the Yankees know all too well from his time across town. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza captured the feeling, noting, “It’s pretty special. Every time he’s at the plate, you feel good about your chances.” He added that getting Soto to the plate as often as possible when he’s hitting like this creates a “pretty special feeling” for the team.
The Mets’ current record stands at 51 wins and 38 losses, placing them second in the NL East, just half a game behind division leader Philadelphia. Their recent winning streak, propelled by clutch performances like Soto’s and McNeil’s, is a positive sign as they look to build momentum and climb the standings. This comeback win against their crosstown rivals, marked by star power and dramatic swings, perfectly encapsulated the intensity and unpredictable nature of the Subway Series.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Juan Soto perform in the recent Mets-Yankees Subway Series game?
Juan Soto had a stellar offensive performance for the Mets in their 6-5 comeback win against the Yankees on July 4, 2025. He went 3-for-4 in the game, hitting a two-run home run in the first inning to tie the game early. He also added a double and a single, missing the cycle by just a triple. This game continued his strong hitting since early June and was a significant contrast to his previous struggles against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium earlier in the season.
What were some key moments that led to the Mets’ comeback victory?
The Mets’ win featured several crucial moments. After the Yankees took an early 2-0 lead on back-to-back home runs, Juan Soto immediately responded with a game-tying two-run homer for the Mets in the bottom of the first. Later in the game, after the Yankees had regained the lead at 5-3, Brett Baty hit a solo home run to pull the Mets closer. The decisive moment came in the bottom of the seventh inning when Jeff McNeil hit a two-run home run to give the Mets a 6-5 lead they would not relinquish.
How have the Mets and Yankees been performing recently leading up to this series?
Leading into the July 4th Subway Series game, both the Mets and Yankees had been experiencing recent struggles after strong starts to the season. Both teams had fallen from first place in their respective divisions following challenging stretches since mid-June. The Mets’ 6-5 victory over the Yankees marked their third consecutive win, suggesting they might be turning a corner. Conversely, the loss was the Yankees’ fifth straight, highlighting a difficult period for the team, particularly with their pitching.
