By Rich Mancuso/ Sports Editor
Jason Vargas lost his concentration, Didi Gregorious hit a home run, Gio Urshela followed with one to left and made three defensive gems at third. Domingo German had a successful return from the injured list and it was a clean and brief bullpen debut for Steven Martz. Jeuurys Familia returned from the injured list and came out of the pen and pitched a perfect inning in the ninth.
Storylines and another Yankees win over the Mets as the 2019 Subway Series concluded Wednesday night at Citi Field.
Of course, the Yankees came away with a four game split with the Mets. Two in the Bronx last month on the same day and two games the past two nights at Citi Field. The 5-1 win was typical Yankees Wednesday night as they started a new home run streak with two from Gregorious and Urshela.
The Mets, a Jason Vargas quality start. And then, Wilmer Font out of the bullpen in the sixth saw a slider go deep to left off the bat of Urshela. The Yankees would never look back and took off to Tampa Bay with a 6.5 lead over the Rays.
Off day for the Mets Thursday, and of course not fair to have no baseball in New York on the 4th of July. But the Mets will take it. The Subway Series to them was a success in gaining the split.
“ Have to get ready for the Phillies,” Dominic Smith said as he exited the Mets’ clubhouse Wednesday night.
And the Mets will take the split of these two games. A split of the four is just as good. However the Yankees are the team that appears to be headed for October baseball and the Mets won’t see them again until spring training or next baseball season.
Again that defining moment was the Mets bullpen. Two runs in the sixth and Font giving up the home run ball to Urshela. The Yankees never looked back and headed to Tampa Bay to try and widen their first place lead over the Rays.
“I just made a mistake,” Vargas said about the home run ball to Gregorious. “I really just lost focus, a complete lack of focus.
Font could not be found in a quiet Mets clubhouse. Let them enjoy the holiday with three games coming up with the Phillies Friday night. Because if the Mets lose two of three, or get swept, then we can say at the All-Star break that it is definitely time to look for next season and becoming sellers before the trade deadline later this month.
Though there is still some optimism. The Mets got a split over their cross-town rivals, Jeff McNeil the All-Star, hit a first inning leadoff home run and continues to lead the majors in hitting. The two games were played in front of sold out crowds. Again the Subway Series does not have the hype it once had but the fans still want to be a part of it.
“Hopefully we can build on it,” McNeil said about the loss. And the Mets continued to show their cross-town rivals they have a core along with him, Pete Alonso, J.D. Davis, Michael Conforto, Amed Rosario, and Smith.
But the Yankees, they got what they needed and Domingo German, 6.0 innings, 5-hits, and that low pitch count, his first start since June 7th after sustaining a left hip flexor strain. The backend guy they need for their rotation with their intentions to play deep into October.
“That was the good, dominant version of German,” said manager Aaron Boone. His fastball was clocked at 96 and he threw 80 pitches of which 56 went for strikes.
German was more impressed with defensive gems of Urshela at third. One play he made from the seat of his pants and the others out him in discussion as a Gold Glove candidate.
“In my humble opinion I think he’s a candidate,” German said through a translator.
And the Yankees with no debate are the better team here over their cross-town rivals. Mets fans will have to accept the results and wait another year to determine otherwise. Again, and the Yankees saw it first hand, a core has developed at Citi Field.
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