The Yankees and Mets were flying high when they played against each other at Yankee Stadium in mid May. On the Monday off day after that series, the Yankees had a 4.5-game lead in the AL East. The Mets were only 1/2 game behind the Phillies in the NL East at that point.

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.