Juan Soto’s return to Yankee Stadium was never going to be quiet. Just months removed from his celebrated stint in pinstripes, the now-Mets superstar faced a wave of hostility the moment he emerged from the visitor’s dugout. Decked in orange and blue after signing a massive 15-year, $765 million deal with the New York Mets, Soto was greeted with relentless boos that echoed across the Bronx.
“You gotta embrace it,” Soto told reporters afterward. “At the end of the day, whatever they give you, it is what it is. You gotta be a professional and take it as a man. I was just enjoying the moment.” For all the noise, Soto seemed unfazed—though that didn’t stop Yankees fans from making their message loud and clear. In right field, some fans turned their backs as he took his spot, while others unleashed unfiltered chants that bled into the broadcast.
By the end of the night, however, the storyline had shifted back to baseball. The New York Yankees secured a 6-2 win in the first leg of the Subway Series, with lefty Carlos Rodon leading the charge on the mound.
Carlos Mendoza addresses the crowd reaction
After the final out dropped into Aaron Judge’s glove, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza offered a measured take on the atmosphere. “I thought they were very respectful and that’s what you want,” Mendoza said. “You can boo all you want and all that, as long as they’re not crossing the line. It was loud.”
That Bronx energy was palpable throughout, even as the Mets struggled to string together offense. Soto finished 0-for-2 with three walks and a run scored. His discipline at the plate was evident, but Yankees pitchers opted for caution, walking him rather than challenging his swing.
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Mets skipper Carlos Mendoza breaks silence on Juan Soto’s return to the Bronx for Subway Series vs. Yankees
Rodon stays hot, Megill falters again
Carlos Rodon delivered a steady outing, allowing just two hits and four walks over five innings while striking out five. He weathered mid-game turbulence to extend a dominant stretch—just seven earned runs over his last 36.2 innings for a 1.15 ERA.
Mets right-hander Tylor Megill, once a breakout star early this season, continued to trend downward. Friday’s outing saw him give up four earned runs over 5.2 innings. Across his last four starts, he’s posted a concerning 7.23 ERA, raising doubts about his long-term reliability in the rotation.
The Mets, who entered the game with the third-worst batting average in MLB with runners in scoring position, went just 2-for-11 in such scenarios and left nine men stranded.
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The series resumes Saturday with Kodai Senga set to take the mound for the Mets against Marcus Stroman for the Yankees. But for now, the first shot has been fired—and Juan Soto felt every bit of it.
