Yankees dominate Mets 6-2 in Subway Series opener, Juan Soto silenced while Carlos Rodón shines again

Juan Soto may have returned to Yankee Stadium, but the welcome he received was anything but warm. The former Yankee, now donning Mets colors, was met with thunderous boos and hostile chants from a sellout crowd of 47,700. This marked his first game back in the Bronx since signing a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets, and Yankee fans wasted no time expressing how they felt about his departure. The New York Yankees beat the Mets 6-2 Friday night in the first of six Subway Series games this seasonJuan Soto, for his part, remained composed. As the crowd rose to its feet for his first at-bat, he respectfully removed his helmet, tipped it to the stands, and placed it over his heart. Despite the hostility, he offered a quiet show of appreciation. But that was about as eventful as his night got. Soto went hitless, finishing 0-for-2 with three walks, including one that set up the Mets' first run. His final appearance ended in a routine flyout to center, closing the ninth inning with a whimper.While Soto was under the microscope, the Yankees were all business. Carlos Rodón delivered a gritty performance, allowing just one run and two hits over five innings. He walked four and struck out five, throwing 102 pitches before turning things over to the bullpen. Rodón (5-3) allowed one run and two hits in five innings, and more importantly, kept the Mets at bay when it mattered most.The offense came alive early for the Yankees, who capitalized on a meltdown from Tylor Megill. The Mets right-hander couldn’t find the strike zone in the third inning, walking four and giving up four runs before being pulled in just 2 2/3 innings. He matched a career-high with five walks, and his struggles continued a concerning trend—Megill owns a 2.45 ERA in March and April, but that balloons to 6.41 in May and June.New York's big inning started with a single from Jorbit Vivas, followed by a walk to Aaron Judge. Paul Goldschmidt then laced a broken-bat single that led to a throwing error by Francisco Lindor, allowing two runs to cross. Goldschmidt wasn’t done—he later added another RBI, and Cody Bellinger chipped in with three hits on the night. “Goldschmidt put the Yankees ahead with a run-scoring single,” setting the tone for the rest of the game.By the fourth inning, the Yankees had added two more runs against Mets reliever Max Kranick, effectively sealing the 6-2 win in this season’s first Subway Series clash. Jonathan Loáisiga made his long-awaited return from elbow surgery with a clean sixth inning, and Luke Weaver secured his fifth save by retiring Soto with two runners on in the ninth.The atmosphere in the Bronx was electric—but unforgiving. Bleacher Creatures turned their backs on Soto, flashing middle fingers and shouting “traitor,” a reflection of the bitter emotions surrounding his decision to leave the Yankees. Yankee Stadium may not be kind, but it is loyal, and Friday night was proof that in the Bronx, some choices aren’t easily forgiven.As far as statements go, the Yankees made theirs loud and clear: Juan Soto may have left for Queens, but the Bronx still belongs to them.Also Read: Murder trial begins for ex-MLB pitcher as jury selection kicks off in high-profile California case