The Yankees beat the Mets 6-4 on July 6, 2025, as Aaron Judge's 33rd HR denied a sweep. See how the Yanks' defense and a Pete Alonso milestone shaped the finale.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Well, you can't win 'em all. After two days of pure bliss, the dream of a Subway Series sweep vanished into the Sunday afternoon air at Citi Field. The Mets fell to the Yankees 6-4, as our crosstown rivals snapped their own ugly six-game skid. It was a classic spoiler performance, led by none other than Aaron Judge, whose 33rd home run of the year proved to be the backbreaker.
Pete Alonso now has 659 career RBIs, passing the legendary Mike Piazza for third place on the Mets' all-time list.
The Mets had their chances, but the baseball gods—and some gold-glove caliber defense from the Yankees—had other plans. The Yanks stymied every potential rally with a big play. Cody Bellinger's shoestring catch that turned into a double play was a gut punch. Paul Goldschmidt's unassisted double play was another. The biggest missed opportunity came in the sixth when Hayden Senger grounded into a bases-loaded double play, killing a prime scoring threat. And just when you thought Starling Marte had a game-tying hit, Aaron Judge made a tumbling catch to seal the deal. It was just one of those days where every bounce went the other way.
With the rotation decimated by injuries, the ball was handed to 31-year-old Brandon Waddell for his first-ever MLB start. It was a tough ask against a desperate Yankees lineup. The lefty battled but ultimately couldn't contain the Bronx Bombers, allowing five runs. The decisive blow was a two-run shot by Judge in the fifth that put the Yankees ahead for good. While not the debut he dreamed of, Waddell stepped up when the team was in a bind, a testament to the 'next man up' mentality this club has been forced to adopt.
Despite the loss, the weekend was full of bright spots. The biggest, of course, was Pete Alonso continuing his assault on the Mets' record books. On Saturday, the Polar Bear officially passed Mike Piazza for third on the franchise's all-time RBI list with 659. He's also now just six home runs shy of tying Darryl Strawberry for the most in team history (252). Add in Francisco Lindor scoring four times in that same game, and it's clear the Mets' stars showed up for the big series. This loss stings, but taking two of three from the Yankees is always a win.
Waddell's start was a direct result of the injury bug that has plagued the Mets, with multiple key players still weeks away from returning. This stretch is a true test of the team's depth. The good news? That depth is considered one of the best in the league. The farm system, led by exciting prospects like Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat, remains a point of strength. While no immediate call-ups were announced, having that talent pipeline provides a safety net and a source of future excitement as the team navigates this challenging part of the season.
So, the sweep wasn't meant to be. The Mets drop the finale but win the series, and that's the headline we'll take. This team showed its fight and its star power this weekend. Now, the challenge is to shake off this loss, get some key players healthy, and keep grinding. The foundation is strong, the milestones keep coming, and the future is bright. Let's regroup and get ready for the next one. Let's Go Mets!
