Sunday’s Subway Series clash between the New York Mets and the Yankees ended in fireworks—and not the celebratory kind.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza was ejected in dramatic fashion after a fiery ninth-inning blow-up over a pair of questionable strike calls.
In a game already full of tension, Mendoza’s eruption became the headline moment of a showdown that didn’t go the Mets’ way.
Frustration Boils Over After Controversial Call
The turning point came in the bottom of the ninth inning.
With the Mets trailing by two runs and looking to spark a late comeback, catcher Luis Torrens struck out on a pitch that raised more than a few eyebrows.
Two of the pitches from Yankees reliever Devin Williams appeared to miss the strike zone—but were still called strikes.
That’s when Mendoza, clearly fed up, lost it.
Mendoza Storms the Field in Furious Protest
Without hesitation, Mendoza stormed out of the dugout and charged toward home plate.
He laid into umpire John Bacon, yelling directly in his face and waving his arms angrily. Officials quickly tried to pull him back, but the damage was done.
The manager even kicked dirt onto home plate in classic baseball fashion, before being tossed from the game by the umpiring crew.
Mets Fans Applaud Mendoza’s Passion
Despite the ejection, Mendoza’s fiery display won over the crowd at Citi Field.
As he made his way off the field, the home fans stood up and cheered him on, showing appreciation for his passion and willingness to defend his team.
Unfortunately, his outburst couldn’t turn the tide—the Mets ended up losing 6-4 to their cross-town rivals in the final game of the series.
Mendoza Explains the Breaking Point
Speaking to reporters after the game, Mendoza didn’t hold back on why he exploded in that final inning.
“It had been building up the whole game,” he said.
“Even going back to strike two on Juan Soto in his second at-bat—it wasn’t even close to the zone.”
The frustration reached a tipping point during Torrens’ at-bat, Mendoza added.
“You’re down two, trying to get guys on base, and then you get two calls like that… it’s just pretty frustrating.”
Yankees Take Series Finale, Mets Win Bragging Rights
While the Yankees took Sunday’s game, the Mets had already secured bragging rights by winning the first two matchups in the Subway Series.
Still, the emotional ending at Citi Field left a strong impression, especially with Mendoza making it clear he’s not afraid to stand up for his players.