Yanks Drop Game 2 Of Subway Series, 6-3

By Andy Singer

May 17th, 2026

In a series where the Yankees should be able to put themselves back on track after a recent skid, the Yankees looked more like the flawed team they've been recently on Saturday night as the Mets managed to push runners across the plate when they mattered the most, beating the Yankees 6-3. Carlos Rodon showed good stuff, but also rusty command that forced him into deep counts. The Yankee bullpen again showed that it cannot be trusted to pick up the rotation on the rare occasion that it struggles. The Yankee offense missed numerous opportunities to cash in. In the end, the Mets made more contact and had a bullpen that bent, but didn't break, giving the Mets a 6-3 win over the Yankees at Citi Field.

Rodon Remains Rusty

Rodon largely cruised through the first two innings. His stuff was sharp, with a lively fastball that lived around 95 MPH. If there was any indication that Rodon wasn't fully comfortable, it was shown in the pitch mix. Rodon really didn't flash anything other than his 4-seam/2-seam fastball combination and his slider.

By the 3rd inning, Mets hitters knew what Rodon was throwing and were able to lay off some really close pitches. Rodon also was putting himself into a lot of deep counts with pitches that were either fouled off due to predictability or missed the strike zone. Check out Rodon's pitch mix and locations in the 3rd inning:

To just look at the box score, the 3rd inning didn't seem so bad - the Yankees and Rodon allowed just 2 runs (on an incredibly sloppy play...we'll get to that in a minute). However, Rodon had to work incredibly hard to get through that inning, throwing 38 pitches in the 3rd. As you can see above, he just missed the zone with his sinker and slider, but his 4-seam fastball was all over the place. It also took Rodon too much time to finally flash the change-up, which really helped set up his other pitches. I don't know whether the game plan called for fewer change-ups or if Rodon shook Wells off, but I thought Rodon was too predictable.

By the end of his start, Rodon's velocity was beginning to wane, and it was obvious he was gassed. Rodon tossed 88 pitches through 3.2 innings, allowing another run in the 4th inning. He finished with 6 strikeouts, but also scattered 3 hits, 3 walks, and lack of command led to a lot of deep counts. You can see flashes of a top-flight starter, but the edges remain rough as Rodon works himself back into shape following elbow surgery.

The Bullpen Bent

The Yankee bullpen came on in relief of Rodon and promptly dug the Yankee hole deeper. Jake Bird came on in the 4th and allowed his inherited runner from Rodon to score. Brent Headrick's magic appears to be wearing off, as he allowed another couple of runs in the 5th (his own and Bird's baserunner) when he walked Soto and allowed a 2nd pitch, bases-clearing double to Mark Vientos.

That said, Headrick at least threw a clean inning after being asked to relieve Bird in the 5th, but the bullpen wasn't done yet. Tim Hill only managed to get one out in the 7th inning, and Camilo Doval had to come in with runners at the corners with 1 out. Doval pitched well, getting a couple of soft ground balls, but the first of those allowed the run to score from 3rd.

Wasted Opportunities

The Yankee offense wasted numerous chances to get back in this game. In the 5th inning, Amed Rosario hit a leadoff double and Volpe drew a 1-out walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1 out. Austin Wells struck out on a low-90s heater right over the heart of the plate to make the 2nd out, and Ben Rice grounded out to 1st base to end the threat.

In the 7th inning, after scoring a run on a mind-boggling error (more in a minute), the Yankees loaded the bases with no outs while trailing by just two runs. The Mets brought in Luke Weaver (I know, I know), and he proceeded to look as good as he's ever looked. Whether he was actually that good or the Yankees made him look that good, I'm not sure. Rosario and Grisham both struck out, bringing Volpe to the plate with bases loaded and 2 outs. On the 2nd pitch, Volpe got the pitch he was looking for, a fastball that caught way too much of the heart of the plate. Volpe hit it hard...right at the shortstop to end the inning.

In the 8th, the Yankees got another leadoff runner when Austin Wells singled to RF. Rice almost immediately fell behind 0-2 to Weaver and grounded into a double play. At that point, I knew the game was over barring a meltdown from Devin Williams (an admittedly enticing possibility).

The Yankees' inability to get the bat on the ball with baserunners on really tanked their chances last night.

Sloppy Play, From Both Sides

Carlos Rodon did himself no favors in the 3rd with a truly spectacular little league play. Rodon threw a wild pitch that was at least 3 feet over Wells' head, hitting the top of the backstop before hurtling into the air. No matter what, 1 run was going to score. Rodon did the right thing to race after the ball in the air. Instead of eating it, like any professional ballplayer should have done, Rodon tried a loose-gripped shovel pass to home plate, only to watch it sail away. Instead of 1 run, 2 runs scored as Bichette raced around from 2nd base. It really seemed to take the air out of the Yankees' game at that point.

In the 7th inning, Mets rookie Carson Benge mised a routine fly ball in right-center field off of the bat of Cody Bellinger. The ball careened off of the mitt and into CF. instead of acknowledging his mistake and racing after it, Benge stood there and pouted, forcing the centerfielder who was backing him up to race after it. The blunder gave the Yankees new life and another run.

It was almost shocking to see how sloppy both teams could be...almost. I mean, Mets and Yankee fans have grown accustomed to this brand of baseball over the last few years. Those watching outside of the Metro area watching the national broadcast were likely surprised though.

There's Always Tomorrow

Let's see if the Yankees can get a series win today. Elmer Rodriguez is back up with the big club to start - I'm hoping the kid settles down and pitches his game, finally.