Yankees Secure Emotional 6-4 Subway Series Victory on 25th Anniversary of 9/11

The New York Yankees defeated the New York Mets 6-4 at Yankee Stadium on September 11, 2026, in a matchup marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Playing in front of a sold-out crowd of 47,410 fans, the Yankees relied on a strong start from Carlos Rodon to secure the victory. This game carries deep significance for New York sports culture, uniting both franchises on a major milestone of remembrance while continuing their highly competitive 2026 Subway Series.

Who stood out in the Yankees' 6-4 victory?

Carlos Rodon led the Yankees on the mound with 6⅓ strong innings, while Cody Bellinger and Ben Rice provided the crucial home runs. According to reporting from NorthJersey.com, Rodon allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and one walk while striking out eight batters. Offensively, Spencer Jones got the scoring started in the first inning with a bloop RBI single. Bellinger followed with a crucial three-run home run in the second inning, and Rice hit a solo home run in the fifth. To secure the final outs, Yankees manager Aaron Boone brought in closer David Bednar in the eighth inning, who eventually induced a game-ending double play from Juan Soto in the ninth. Relievers Paul Blackburn and Brent Headrick also pitched in relief during the contest.

How did the Mets perform on the mound and at the plate?

The Mets suffered from a rare off-night by rookie pitcher Nolan McLean, though hitter A.J. Ewing sparked a late offensive rally. McLean, who entered the matchup with an 11-8 record and a 3.06 ERA, pitched five innings and surrendered five earned runs on a career-high 10 hits, one walk, and five strikeouts. This performance snapped a streak of five consecutive quality starts for McLean and marked the first time he allowed more than two earned runs since August 6. At the plate, Carson Benge scored in the seventh, while Ewing drove in runs with an RBI single in the seventh and a solo home run in the ninth. Marcus Semien also added a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, but the effort was not enough to overcome the early deficit.

What happened during the 9/11 25th anniversary tribute?

The 25th anniversary pregame ceremony featured emotional ceremonial first pitches, tributes to local first responders, and major charitable donations from the Yankees. As reported by NorthJersey.com, the Yankees recognized honor guards from the NYPD, FDNY, and Port Authority Police Department, while donating $25,000 each to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and Tuesday's Promise. Opera tenor James Valenti sang the national anthem, and Lee Greenwood performed "God Bless the USA." The ceremonial first pitches were thrown by Brielle Saracini—daughter of Victor Saracini, the captain of United Flight 175—and her husband, Sean McGuire, whose father Patrick McGuire worked on the 84th floor of the South Tower. Reflecting on the day, Mets interim manager Andy Green, who was 24 years old in 2001, stated, "There’s some things that are much bigger than just the game we have the privilege and playing and being a part of."

What is next for the Subway Series?

The Mets and Yankees will continue their series at Yankee Stadium on September 12, 2026, with a game scheduled for 1:35 PM. This matchup follows a competitive season series between the two cross-town rivals. Earlier in the year, the Mets won consecutive games against the Yankees, taking a 6-3 victory on May 16—where Luke Weaver escaped a bases-loaded, no-outs jam in the seventh—and a 7-6 victory on May 17. The Mets also entered the series coming off a 15-14 win against the Miami Marlins on September 9, which featured home runs by Francisco Lindor and Christopher Morel to complete a series sweep.