Yankees fans didn’t have much of a counterargument for the “Let’s go Mets” chants echoing in the Bronx.
Taijuan Walker took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, Brandon Nimmo provided a spark in his return from the injured list and the Mets beat the Yankees,8-3, on Saturday to open a three-game set. Mets fans delighted over an easy victory in the Bronx, and their “Let’s go Mets” chants got minimal pushback at this Subway Series opener, with many Yankees fans sensing this season has already gone off the rails. The Mets already led 8-0 when Aaron Judge homered with one out in the sixth to end Walker’s bid for an eighth no-hitter in the majors this season. He was lifted after 5 and two-thirds innings having allowed two runs, two hits and two walks, striking out five on 106 pitches. “He’s been like another ace,” Mets manager Luis Rojas said. “We talk about Jacob deGrom. Taijuan has been like another ace for us.” Walker’s E.R.A. rose slightly to 2.44, continuing a breakout season after he signed a $23 million, three-year free-agent contract in February. The Mets are pushing for the 28-year-old right-hander to be a first-time All-Star when rosters are revealed Sunday. “I’m definitely anxious to find out,” Walker said. “But right now, it’s out of my hand.” Walker (7-3) got a standing ovation as he left from thousands of Mets fans among the season-high crowd of 40,047 at Yankee Stadium — the highest attendance for either New York team since before the coronavirus pandemic.
