As the New York Yankees and New York Mets commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, outfielder Cody Bellinger hit a three-run homer off rookie Nolan McLean in the second inning to lift the Pinstripes to a 6-4 victory over the Mets Friday night.
However, the game was briefly interrupted when a spectator carrying a Palestinian flag ran from the stands onto the field. Yankee Stadium security quickly tackled the man. He reportedly timed the field invasion at exactly 9:11 p.m.
Details about how the person reached the field were not immediately clear.
Video from the scene appeared to show some fans throwing drinks, while loud “U-S-A” chants broke out as security escorted the man off the field.
The game resumed after the on-field incident.
YANKEES, SPORTS WORLD REMEMBER 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 WITH ‘GOD BLESS AMERICA’ AND MOMENTS OF SILENCE
The Yankees and Mets wore special caps honoring FDNY, NYPD and other first responders. Across Major League Baseball, players and coaches wore caps featuring a special “We Shall Never Forget” side patch.
When play on the baseball diamond began, designated hitter Ben Rice also homered, helping the Yankees improve to 85-62 and move a season-high 23 games above .500 as they commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Rookie Spencer Jones added an RBI single in the first inning and Ryan McMahon hit an RBI single in the eighth as the Yankees remained three games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East.
Carlos Rodón allowed two runs and three hits in a season-high 6.3 innings. The left-hander notched two of his eight strikeouts on slugger Juan Soto, who heard boos from Yankee fans before each at-bat.
Bellinger homered after catching the ceremonial first pitch from Brielle Saracini, whose father Victor Saracini was the pilot on United Airlines Flight 175, which was flown into the South Tower of the World Trade Center.
Bellinger gave the Yankees a 4-1 lead by hitting a full-count curveball off McLean into the right field seats. Rice added his 37th homer by sending a sinker the opposite way into the left field seats on the first pitch of the fifth.
Game 2 of the Subway Series is scheduled for Saturday at 1:35 p.m.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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