The New York Mets and New York Yankees were locked in a tie through eight innings of the final game of their series on Sunday.
But everything unraveled for the Mets following a costly mistake by Pete Alonso.
The Yankees took the lead on a throwing error by the Mets’ first baseman in the eighth, then piled on five additional runs to secure an 8-2 victory and win the Subway Series.
After the loss, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza directed criticism at Alonso for the misplay.
Pete Alonso Takes Blame
During the May 18 game, the Yankees and Mets were tied 2-2 in the bottom of the eighth inning when the Yankees got runners on second and third. Mets first baseman Pete Alonso fielded a sharp grounder hit by rookie Jorbit Vivas. Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez broke for home on contact, prompting Alonso to make a play.
Although Alonso appeared to have enough time to throw Dominguez out at the plate, his throw sailed past the catcher and to the backstop, allowing the Yankees to take the lead.
After the game, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Alonso likely could’ve made the out if the throw had been more accurate.
“From where I was, a good throw would’ve gotten him,” Mendoza told The Athletic.
Alonso, who’s had an MVP-caliber start to the season, took full responsibility for the error and the loss.
“I blew it,” he said. “It was a terrible throw. That whole inning, this game — it’s all on me. I take 100 percent of the blame.”
Yankees Broke Game Open After Pete Alonso Error
Vivas entered the game as a defensive replacement but found himself in a key offensive moment during his eighth-inning at-bat. Speaking to reporters afterward, he said his focus was simply on making contact against the hard-throwing Mets reliever Ryan Stanek.
“He’s throwing 100 mph, so I wasn’t trying to do too much,” Vivas said, according to the New York Daily News. “I just wanted to put the ball in play and help the team.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised the rookie for his at-bat, noting how Vivas seemed to settle in as it progressed. Boone also mentioned that even if Pete Alonso’s throw had been accurate, Jasson Dominguez may have still scored.
“What an at-bat,” Boone said. “You could see him start to adjust by the third or fourth pitch. He looked more composed.”
“We caught a break on the throw, though honestly, Jasson was flying down the line,” Boone added.
Alonso’s errant throw opened the floodgates for the Yankees, who had struggled offensively until that point. Paul Goldschmidt followed with an RBI single, setting the stage for Cody Bellinger, who crushed a grand slam off Genesis Cabrera with the bases loaded.
Though the Mets dropped a dramatic game in the Subway Series, they remained a half-game ahead of the surging Phillies in the NL East. The loss brought their record to 29–18, tying them with the Dodgers for the most wins in the National League.
With the win, the Yankees moved to 27–19 and widened their lead over the Red Sox in the AL East.
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