In a thrilling Subway Series opener at Citi Field, the New York Yankees overcame a four-run deficit to defeat the struggling New York Mets 7-6. The game featured dramatic moments, including a bases-loaded escape by Yankees reliever Clay Holmes in the eighth inning and the ejection of Mets pitcher Drew Smith for using an illegal foreign substance.

Yankees sluggers Giancarlo Stanton and DJ LeMahieu homered off Mets starter Max Scherzer, who surrendered five runs in the fourth inning. Pinch-hitter Josh Donaldson delivered the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly in the sixth after a Mets center fielder Brandon Nimmo misplay.

Prior to the seventh inning, Smith became the second Mets pitcher ejected this season for having a prohibited sticky substance on his hands. Smith expressed surprise at the ejection, claiming he had only used sweat and rosin.

Scherzer acknowledged his subpar performance, stating, "You can put the camera right on me. I’ve got to be better." LeMahieu's two-run blast narrowed the Mets' lead, and rookie Anthony Volpe's RBI double and Jake Bauers' two-run single put the Yankees ahead.

The Mets tied the game in the fifth, but Holmes shut down a bases-loaded threat in the eighth to maintain the Yankees' slim advantage. Ron Marinaccio earned the win, and Michael King secured his fourth save. The Yankees bullpen continues to impress with a league-leading 2.72 ERA.

Smith's ejection without throwing a pitch added to the game's drama. Crew chief Bill Miller explained that Smith's hands were excessively sticky, warranting the ejection. This incident likely results in a 10-game suspension for Smith, impacting the Mets' already vulnerable bullpen. Scherzer previously received a 10-game suspension for a similar infraction in April.

The Yankees received positive news regarding injured center fielder Harrison Bader, who is expected to return from the injured list soon. The Mets are hopeful for a quicker-than-expected recovery for injured first baseman Pete Alonso. The two-game series concludes Wednesday with a pitching duel between Yankees ace Gerrit Cole and Mets veteran Justin Verlander.