Luis Severino struggles as Yankees lose to Jacob deGrom, Mets

Jacob deGrom out-pitched Luis Severino to lead the Mets past the Yankees in the final Subway Series game of 2018.

NEW YORK — Jacob deGrom doesn’t get much run support. When he does, good luck beating him.

The Mets‘ ace had two runs to work with before he even took the mound on Monday, and he out-pitched a shaky Luis Severino in a 8-5 win over the Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

deGrom, who’s MLB-leading in ERA actually jumped up to 1.81, wasn’t flawless, but he held the Yankees to three runs on five hits over 6.2 innings while striking out 12 and walking two. Only two of the runs were earned, and he has allowed three or fewer earned runs in 21 straight starts. Monday also marked his seventh start with at least 10 strikeouts.

Despite the league-best ERA, deGrom’s record now sits at 7-7.

Sanchez, Judge injury updates

Severino allowed four runs total over four innings of work. Mets shortstop Amed Rosario opened the game with a solo home run, and Brandon Nimmo scored on a Jeff McNeil RBI single later in the first inning.

The Yankees tied the game 2-2 in the bottom of the third on a fielder’s choice by Giancarlo Stanton, who reached on a throwing error by McNeil in an attempt to turn a double play. That allowed Austin Romine to score from third. Center fielder Aaron Hicks then singled home Stanton, who advanced to second on the error.

But Severino served up a two-home run to Mets outfielder Jose Bautista in the top of the fourth, putting the Mets back up 4-2.

The Yankees pulled back within one run again on a Didi Gregorius RBI single in the bottom of the fifth inning, driving home Brett Gardner from second.

The Mets then teed off on Yankees reliever A.J. Cole to pull away. Former Yankee Todd Frazier launched a solo home run to left field in the top of the sixth inning before Nimmo and Michael Conforto hit back-to-back solo shots off Cole for a 7-3 lead in the top of the seventh.

Miguel Andujar pulled the Yankees within 7-5 when he hit a towering two-run home run to left field with two outs in the bottom of the eighth. It marked the 18th home run of the season and his fourth in seven games for the rookie third baseman.

An error cost the Yankees a run in the top of the ninth inning, dampening the hope of a rally following Andujar’s home run. The Mets put runners on first and second with one out before McNeil grounded to shortstop. Gregorius flipped to Gleyber Torres at second for the force, but Torres dropped the ball on the transfer. The chance at a double play died as the ball rolled toward the outfield grass, and Conforto raced home from third as it did.

Severino labors

Along with putting up the early runs, the Mets’ offense made Severino work. He needed 98 pitches to get through four innings, and he was at 55 through just two frames.

Severino didn’t allow a run in the second inning, but the pitches racked up. The Mets loaded the bases with two outs on two singles and a walk. Leadoff hitter Amed Rosario singled on a shallow fly ball to right, which landed in front of Neil Walker.

Walker, who typically plays in the infield, couldn’t range in to make the catch. Severino needed to throw 14 more pitches to two batters to escape the jam.

What it means

Monday’s loss by the Yankees meant a season split for the 2018 Subway Series. The Mets won two of the three games at Yankee Stadium.

After a promising start in his last outing, where he allowed three runs over seven innings, Severino added to his stretch of struggles that dates back to just before the All-Star Game. Over his past seven starts, Severino has allowed 30 earned runs over 34 innings.

Next up

Tuesday: Tampa Bay Rays (SP TBD) vs. Yankees (J.A. Happ)- 7:05 p.m. at Yankee Stadium
Wednesday: Rays (SP TBD) vs. Yankees (Luis Cessa)- 7:05 p.m. at Yankee Stadium
Thursday: Rays (SP TBD) vs. Yankees (Masahiro Tanaka)- 1:05 p.m. at Yankee Stadium

Chris Ryan may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisRyan_NJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.