“It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” This timeless classic philosophy of Rocky Balboa perfectly mirrors the recent journey of one New York Yankees pitcher. The bright lights of Yankee Stadium hosted a Subway Series clash against the New York Mets on Friday, May 16, 2025. It was a stage for resilience more than anything else. It was an opportunity for the $8.6 million reliever Devin Williams to silence critics and maybe rewrite a painful chapter.
The Yankees secured a convincing 6-2 victory over their crosstown rivals, the Mets. The game was entertaining. But it was the eighth inning that really grabbed everyone’s attention. Devin Williams, the high-profile reliever, stepped onto the mound for the Bronx Bombers. He delivered a masterful, perfect inning.
Williams efficiently dispatched Pete Alonso with a 94-mph fastball for a called third strike. He then struck out Mark Vientos swinging on a nasty changeup. Brandon Nimmo followed, also swinging, falling victim to Williams’ famed “Airbender” changeup.
After this masterful performance, Yankees manager Aaron Boone was not hiding his joy. “He was great,” Boone said postgame, joining the sentiment that was surging across the stadium. “His fastball was good and there were a couple changeups that just disappeared. In our dugout, the depth on those pitches were really good. That’s who he is right there and we’re seeing it more and more,” he further added.
Williams’ showdown with Alonso was particularly meaningful. The last time these two sides met was during the 2024 National League Wild Card series. Williams, pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers, saw Alonso crush a back-breaking, series-clinching go-ahead. That made the Brewers go home and certainly stayed in Williams’ mind. Friday night in the Bronx, while facing Alonso again, offered Williams a direct path to quiet redemption, and he seized it decisively.
Boone’s positive assessment becomes all the more impressive when taking into account Williams’ season heading into this game. The right-hander endured a challenging start to his Yankees tenure. Before his relief outing against the Mets, Williams’ 8.36 ERA in 17 games and 16 strikeouts in 14 innings was concerning.
However, this perfect inning, where he struck out three in a single frame, drastically contrasted with his earlier struggles. It also carried over a good trend, as he had been unscored upon in seven of his previous eight setup appearances.
Yankees and Mets: Subway series highlights and team performance
It’s worth noting that Devin Williams is not the primary closer for the New York Yankees now. That crucial ninth-inning role now belongs to Luke Weaver. Williams transitioned to a setup role after some early-season difficulties, including a blown save that prompted the change.
Boone has maintained faith that Williams can perform well in high-leverage spots in the seventh or eighth innings. Williams himself acknowledged, “Being a closer is a position you have to earn…Lately, I haven’t been doing that.”
While Williams shone, the game also featured Juan Soto’s return to Yankee Stadium, in a Mets uniform, this time. Soto drew three walks and scored a run, but went hitless. He got a chilly welcome from the Bronx faithful, a response to the Mets’ 15-year, $765 million deal. The Yankees’ own offensive bats, newcomers Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt, picked up the offensive slack, combining for five hits in the win.
Former Yankees reliever Clay Holmes adds another flavor to the Subway Series. Now with the Mets as a starter, Holmes has a new rhythm. As of mid-May, he boasts an impressive 5-2 record with a 3.14 ERA. He has also tallied 48 strikeouts in 48.2 innings pitched for the Queens.
Mid-May 2025, the New York Yankees are performing strongly. They currently sit at the top of the A.L. East with a strong record of 26-18. Their New York counterparts, the Mets, are also having a good year. The Mets are 28-17, making them a formidable force in the National League. Can they maintain their consistency going forward?
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