Flushing, NY (Sports Network) – Mark Teixeira delivered a two-run double in a three-run first inning, and the Yankees’ pitching staff made the early offensive outburst hold up in a 5-1 victory over the Mets at Citi Field.
Eduardo Nunez collected four hits, including a run-scoring single in the eighth, for the Yankees, who extended their winning streak to a season-best six games.
“The Mets have been playing really well, we’ve been playing well. So it was the immovable object versus the unstoppable force tonight,” Teixeira said. “Something had to give. We got off to that early lead, which was big.”
Teixeira lined a two-run double into the right-field corner, giving the Yankees a 2-0 lead before Mets starter Jon Niese (7-7) recorded an out. After Alex Rodriguez grounded out, Robinson Cano doubled home Teixeira.
Niese allowed only five more hits through his six innings of work, while Ruben Tejada put the Mets on the board with an RBI single in the second.
The Mets loaded the bases in the fifth after the first two batters were retired, but Yankees starter Ivan Nova (8-4) struck out Angel Pagan to end the threat.
Nova was removed for a pinch-hitter when the visitors loaded the bases in the sixth. Niese struck out Jorge Posada and Nick Swisher grounded out to third to end the inning.
Six Yankees relievers combined to keep the Mets off the board the rest of the way.
There was a controversial call in the bottom of the seventh. Jose Reyes singled to begin the frame and advanced to second on a fly ball to center field. Reyes tried to take third when the shortstop Nunez mishandled the relay throw from Curtis Granderson, but he was tagged out on a close play. Mets manager Terry Collins argued the call and was subsequently ejected.
“You act on your instincts, and his instincts said he should go to third,” Collins said. “Sometimes you can’t corral a guy who plays like that. I had no problem with it.”
With the Yankees leading 4-1, Rodriguez added an RBI double in the ninth.
The Yankees improved to 12-4 against the National League this season.