Luke Weaver was a pleasant dream for his latest team and a nightmare for his old one Saturday night.
Carson Benge’s muff on a fly ball resulted in an error in the seventh inning, leaving the Yankees ready to pounce. With one run already across and nobody out, Weaver entered with the bases loaded and produced his signature moment to date in a Mets uniform.
The right-hander struck out Amed Rosario and Trent Grisham before getting Anthony Volpe to hit a ground ball for the final out, averting crisis. The Mets held on for a 6-3 victory at Citi Field, setting up a Subway Series rubber game Sunday.
“It’s a cool moment and that is why you play the game,” Weaver said. “Things that kind of come out of you, the moment gets big, you try to find a way to channel it, not panic, not get stressed out. It’s pretty stressful.”
Weaver, who signed a two-year contract worth $22 million with the Mets last offseason after the Yankees showed only mild interest in retaining him, wasn’t finished after saving the Mets in the seventh.
He returned for the eighth and pitched a scoreless inning, highlighted by his sprint to cover first base that completed a 3-6-1 double play on Ben Rice’s grounder.
“Unicorn stuff; he’s great,” Juan Soto said of Weaver. “He comes in and shows no fear and attacks the hitters and gets the job done. It’s cool to see.”
The Mets, who won for the fourth time in five games, received a big night from another former Yankee: Soto reached base four times to lead the offensive attack. If that wasn’t enough, Devin Williams — who pitched last season in The Bronx — got the final three outs for the save.
Juan Soto singles during the Mets’ 6-3 win over the Yankees on May 16, 2026 at Citi Field. Jason Szenes for the NY Post
The victory lifted the Mets a day after Clay Holmes was lost to a right fibula fracture, another jolt to a team besieged by injuries.
“When I saw [Holmes] I said, ‘That was in honor of you. I even had your name written in my hat’ — which I didn’t,” Weaver said. “But it just felt right to say; kids don’t lie to your parents. But we just try to pick each other up.”
Carlos Rodón, in his second start for the Yankees since returning from offseason elbow surgery, threw 88 pitches over 3 ²/₃ innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and three walks with six strikeouts.
Brett Baty reacts after hitting an RBI double during the Mets’ win over the Yankees. Jason Szenes for the NY Post
Rodón gifted the Mets two runs in the third to put the Yankees in a 2-1 hole. After Benge delivered a two-out double and Bo Bichette and Soto walked to load the bases, Rodón unleashed a wild pitch. Rodón fielded the carom bare-handed and attempted to nail Benge at the plate, but threw wild. Bichette also scored.
“That was a stupid play,” Rodón said. “I tried to make a superhero play. That’s one I have got to eat.”
The Mets got frisky again with two outs in the fourth. Rodón walked Austin Slater before Brett Baty’s ensuing RBI double placed the Yankees in a 3-1 hole.
Mark Vientos rips a two-run double during the Mets’ win over the Yankees. Jason Szenes for the NY Post
Mark Vientos’ two-run double in the fifth widened the Yankees’ deficit to 5-2.
Benge, who finished the night with three hits, singled to begin the rally and Soto walked against lefty Brent Headrick before Vientos’ smash eluded the diving Rosario at third base to bring in both runners.
David Peterson created plenty of traffic in his appearance, allowing six hits and three walks that produced the Yankees’ two runs over four innings.
Carlos Rodón (55) reacts during the Yankees’ May 16 loss to the Mets. Jason Szenes for the NY Post
The lefty threw 82 pitches in his third straight outing in a bulk relief role.
Aaron Judge doubled leading off the seventh and Cody Bellinger’s fly to right should have been the first out.
But the ball ticked off Benge’s glove for an error, allowing Judge to score.
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Brooks Raley drilled Paul Goldschmidt and allowed a bunt single to Jazz Chisholm Jr. that loaded the bases before departing with nobody out. Weaver got the next three outs, without a run scoring.
“That’s the game right there,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “It’s a completely different game if we catch that ball in right field. I am glad that guys could pick other guys up and that’s what it’s all about.”
