Yankees' Jasson Domínguez & Aaron Judge hit back-to-back homers to start the July 4th Subway Series vs. the Mets, grabbing an instant 2-0 lead. Recap the win.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Forget the fireworks stands, the real pyrotechnics on this Fourth of July were at Citi Field. The New York Yankees kicked off the Subway Series against the Mets with an immediate and deafening statement, as Jasson Domínguez and Aaron Judge launched back-to-back home runs to start the game. It was a perfect, powerful opening salvo in a series that always means more, especially coming off a tough sweep against Toronto.
Aaron Judge's 32nd homer of the season followed Jasson Domínguez's leadoff shot, giving the Yankees a 2-0 lead before the Mets even recorded an out.
You couldn't have scripted a better start for a team desperate to wash away the taste of being swept. 'The Martian,' Jasson Domínguez, wasted no time, sending a pitch into the stands for a leadoff shot. Before the crowd could even settle, Aaron Judge stepped up and blasted his 32nd homer of the year, a towering drive that put the Yankees up 2-0 in a flash. The early lead was crucial, and the defense made sure to protect it. The game's most unusual moment came in the bottom of the sixth when the Yankees escaped a jam thanks to a heads-up play and a mental lapse by the Mets' Ronny Mauricio, who lost track of the ball and collided with DJ LeMahieu for the third out. It was the kind of break the Yankees needed to maintain control.
While the offense was making noise, the front office was busy retooling the pitching staff. The sweep at the hands of the Blue Jays clearly prompted action. Right-hander Clayton Beeter was optioned to Triple-A after a rough outing where he allowed three runs in just 1 2/3 innings. In his place, the Yankees called up two intriguing arms. Righty Scott Effross returns to the bigs, looking to build on his lone scoreless inning this season. He's joined by lefty Jayvien Sandridge, a minor-league signing who has been impressive in the farm system with a 2.35 ERA. The moves signal a clear desire for more reliable options out of the 'pen as the season hits a critical juncture.
The other shoe waiting to drop is the status of starter Clarke Schmidt. After leaving his last start with right forearm tightness, all signs point to him landing on the injured list. This is a significant blow to a rotation that has relied on his consistency. Forearm issues are always a major red flag for pitchers, and the team will undoubtedly be cautious. His absence creates a major hole and puts even more pressure on the remaining starters and the newly configured bullpen to pick up the slack.
Tonight's explosive start was exactly the jolt the Yankees needed. With Domínguez and Judge leading the charge, the offense showed its terrifying potential. But the celebration is tempered by the reality of the roster shakeup and the looming injury to Schmidt. One win, even a dramatic one against a rival, doesn't erase the challenges ahead. The question now is whether these new bullpen arms can provide the stability needed to turn a single spectacular night into a sustained winning streak. The rest of the Subway Series will be a major test.
