The Mets then cut it to 5-4 in the bottom of the sixth. Fried exited at 98 pitches after his first of the inning hit Brandon Nimmo and then pinch-hitters Mauricio and Baty greeted reliever Jonathan Loaisiga with singles to load the bases.

NEW YORK — Here were the Yankees at their best: the lineup smashing homers and doubles early, the ace and bullpen surviving a rocky middle, the fielders making clutch, heady plays to save the day. After a week in the wilderness, the Yankees found their way to the clearing of Monday’s off day. They are bruised but breathing.

As if the New York Yankees or the New York Mets – two teams with some of the highest payrolls in the league – need any help from MLB or the umpires' union to br